International travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have forced several athletes out of the three-day event, which begins in the Hungarian city tomorrow. 

Harrison, the American teenager who caused an upset when she earned the women’s C1 200 metres world title last year, is one of the few athletes from outside Europe who has entered.

She is set to be challenged by last year's runner-up, Russian Olesia Romasenko, and fourth-placed María Mailliard of Chile. 

Hungary's Kopasz, world champion in the men's K1 1,000m, is also joined by a number of strong opponents.

Portugal's former world champion Fernando Pimenta, Frenchman Etienne Hubert and Spain’s Roi Rodriguez will also be in the field.

Other key contenders include Rio Olympic silver medallist Maxime Beaumont in the men's K1 200m, and Spain's world silver medallists Francisco Cubelos and Inigo Pena in the men's K2 1000m.

Para-canoe competition is also scheduled to take place alongside the World Cup, which runs until Sunday (September 27).

Event organisers claim they have strict COVID-19 precautions in place, including access to handwashing, alcohol-based hand gel and hygiene facilities at multiple locations, regular disinfectant cleaning and good hygiene signage across all venues, and daily temperature checks. 

Participants have been requested to wash hands often, wear a face mask while travelling on shuttle buses and avoid shaking hands and hugging other people. 

Spectators will be allowed into the venue at the Maty-ér regatta course. 

They are asked to wear a face mask, observe regular hand sanitising and take only every second seat in the grandstand.