Fed Cup champions Czech Republic will begin their bid for their fourth title in five years, when they take on Canada in Quebec City in the World Group.
Captain Petr Pala's Czech side is raging favourites to dismiss the North Americans, who are without star player Eugenie Bouchard - who is resting after the Australian Open in January.
While the Czechs are also missing their top-10 player, Petra Kvitova, all four of their nominations have singles rankings higher than Canada's number one, Sharon Fichman (134th).
Karolina Pliskova (22nd), Tereza Smitkova (62nd), Denisa Allertova (91st) and Lucie Hradecka (122nd) make up the visitors' side.
Pliskova made the third round at Melbourne Park - losing to eventual semi-finalist Ekaterina Makarova - while Hradecka pulled off a big upset over Ana Ivanovic in the first round.
That form makes for good reading for Pala's outfit ahead of the tie on indoor hard courts.
Australian Open finalist Maria Sharapova will make just her fifth appearance for Russia at the Fed Cup, when they take on Poland in Krakow.
Sharapova has won three of her four singles rubbers for Russia, and will likely go head-to-head with fellow star Agnieszka Radwanska, who leads the hosting Polish for the indoor hard-court tie.
France's trip to take on Italy in Genoa is an even tie on paper.
The Amelie Mauresmo-captained French bear top-30 players Alize Cornet (19th) and Caroline Garcia (30th), while the Italians are led by Sara Errani (13th) and Camila Giorgi (31st).
Cornet said Mauresmo, a two-time major winner, has led the team well.
"So far [Mauresmo] has been a great captain," said Cornet, according to fedcup.com.
"She has a lot of experience and she always gives us very good advice. She knows how it feels to be on court.
"She knows exactly what kind of emotion we're passing through during a match so she has always the right words.
"She knows how to take the decisions, how to explain them to us. I have nothing to complain about - I hope she is going to stay in this sport for a long time."
Cornet said transitioning from Melbourne's hard courts to the clay in Genoa will be one of their toughest challenges.
"I think we have our chances against Italy," she said.
"It's close to home so we are going to have a lot of people cheering for us too. It's not easy to play on a clay court after the Australian Open but it's the same for all the players.
"The Italian players I think are pretty confused about playing on clay as well, so it will be the same for everyone.
"We have a great team with young players so I think we can definitely defend our chances and get through the first round."
Finalists in 2014, Germany will be out to go one better this year and face Australia first-up in a re-match of last tournament's semi-final.
The Angelique Kerber-led Germans comfortably won the tie in Brisbane 3-1, and the top-10 ranked left-hander is among a strong line up for Barbara Rittner's side.
Kerber is joined by Andrea Petkovic, Sabine Lisicki and Julia Goerges for the indoor hard-court tie.
Australia bear top-60 players Sam Stosur, Casey Dellacqua and Jarmila Gajdosova.
Starring in the World Group II fixtures is world number one and Australian Open champion Serena Williams, representing the United States.
Nineteen-time major winner Williams will join sister Venus in leading the US against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
Williams has openly admitted her presence in the team tournament is virtually forced, given the strict qualifying stipulations in order to be eligible to feature at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.