The world’s top-ranked United States will face its neighbor Canada in the group stage when Coco Gauff participates for the first time in the third edition of the United Cup for mixed teams in Sydney and Perth at the beginning of the next season.

Gauff, the world number three, will join the American team consisting of Taylor Fritz, Denis Kudla, Robert Galloway, Desirae Krawczyk, and Danielle Collins, who recently reversed her decision to retire at the end of the 2024 season.

The draw, held today on Monday, also puts the Americans up against a yet-to-be-determined team within Group A set to take place in Perth.

The teams ranked 17 and 18 will be determined based on the rankings as of November 19, but organizers confirmed that Serbian Novak Djokovic has decided not to include the tournament in his preparations to compete for his 11th title at the Australian Open.

Germany, the defending champion led by world number three Alexander Zverev, will face China, which features Olympic champion Cheng Chengwen, and Brazil in Group E also in Perth.

Zverev looks set to become the top seed in the tournament with the absence of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, while Russia, led by fifth-ranked Daniil Medvedev, remains banned due to sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.

Belarus has also been excluded for the same reason, meaning Australian Open and US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka will miss the tournament, but five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek will lead a strong Polish team that also includes Hubert Hurkacz.

Poland, last year's runner-up, will play its matches in Group B against the Czech Republic and Norway in Sydney.

Stephen Farrow, the tournament director, said: "I believe this year's player list may be the strongest overall we have seen over the three years of the competition.

We have six of the top seven women in the world and six of the top twelve men. It will be a truly amazing competition."

Host Australia, led by Alex de Minaur, will play its matches in Group F in Sydney against Great Britain and another team yet to be determined.

The tournament kicks off on December 27, with the final taking place in Sydney on January 5.