Michael Phelps will not race at FINA world short-course titles in December in Dubai as he prepares for the l/c challenge in July next year in Shanghai but the US will be the team to beat, among its 37 swimmers heading for honours in the Gulf state December 15-19 this stroke force: Ryan Lochte, Aaron Peirsol, Nathan Adrian, Tyler Clary, Natalie Coughlin, Natalie Coughlin, Rebecca Soni, Jessica Hardy, Ariana Kukors, Kate Ziegler and Katie Hoff.

"I’m looking forward to swimming in Dubai, especially since it will be my first time in the United Arab Emirates," Lochte said through USA Swimming. "We have a really strong U.S. team that will compete at Short Course World Championships and it should be a great meet for the swimmers as well as the fans."

Eddie Reese and Teri McKeever head the men and women's shoals on the deck at what will be the first truly powerful US force to attend a world s/c championships since the US hosted the event in 2004 in the wake of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

"This team represents one of the most talented USA Swimming squads I’ve seen," said USA Swimming interim National Team Head Coach Jim Wood. "Our team is a solid mix of new talent and veteran leadership and that is really exciting, both for this meet and as we head toward London in less than two years."

The US roster:

• Nathan Adrian Bremerton, Wash. /California Aquatics
• Mike Alexandrov Champaign, Ill. / Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics
• Ricky Berens Charlotte, N.C. / Longhorn Aquatics
• Bobby Bollier Mission Hills, Kan. / FAST Swim Team
• Tyler Clary Riverside, Calif. / FAST Swim Team
• Mark Gangloff Akron, Ohio / New York Athletic Club
• Charlie Houchin Raleigh, N.C. / FAST Swim Team
• Adam Klein New Orleans, La. / Auburn University Swim Team
• Ryan Lochte Daytona Beach, Fla. / Daytona Beach Swimming
• Tyler McGill Champaign, Ill. / Auburn University Swim Team
• Aaron Peirsol Irvine, Calif. / Longhorn Aquatics
• Tim Phillips Vienna, West Va. / Ohio State University
• David Plummer Oklahoma City, Okla. / Minnetonka Swim Club
• Sean Ryan Chattanooga, Tenn. / Scenic City Aquatic Club
• Josh Schneider Cincinnati, Ohio / SwimMAC Carolina
• Eric Shanteau Lilburn, Ga. / Longhorn Aquatics
• Peter Vanderkaay Rochester, Mich. / Club Wolverine
• David Walters Yorktown, Pa. / Longhorn Aquatics
• Garrett Weber-Gale Milwaukee, Wis. / Longhorn Aquatics
• Women
• Natalie Coughlin Vallejo, Calif. / California Aquatics
  Missy Franklin Centennial, Colo. / Colorado Stars
• Jessica Hardy Long Beach, Calif. / Trojan Swim Club
• Katie Hoff Towson, Md. / FAST Swim Team
• Kara Lynn Joyce Athens, Ga. / FAST Swim Team
• Dagny Knutson Minot, N.D. / FAST Swim Team
• Ariana Kukors Auburn, Wash. / FAST Swim Team
• Micah Lawrence Pflugerville, Texas / Auburn University Swim Team
• Christine Magnuson Tinley Park, Ill. Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics
• Mary Mohler Naperville, Ill. / FAST Swim Team
• Rebecca Soni Plainsboro, N.J. / Trojan Swim Club
• Chloe Sutton Mission Viejo, Calif. / Mission Viejo Nadadores
• Jasmine Tosky Palo Alto, Calif. / Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics
• Kim Vandenberg Moraga, Calif. / New York Athletic Club
• Dana Vollmer Granbury, Texas / California Aquatics
• Amanda Weir Lawrenceville, Ga. / SwimAtlanta
• Madison White Danville, Calif. / Crow Canyon Sharks
• Kate Ziegler Great Falls, Va. / FAST Swim Team