First-round qualifier tournaments will take place in Spain, Finland and Belgium this summer, with Hungary, Romania and Serbia set to play in their maiden ICC events
The ICC has confirmed the schedule for an expanded first round of European qualification events ahead of the Men's T20 World Cup in India in 2021.
A series of eight-team tournaments will take place in Spain, Finland and Belgium between May and June this year, with the winners of each event progressing to join Jersey in the main regional final early next year. Two nations from this four-team tournament will then progress to one of two Global Qualifier events.
The revamped structure replaces the single Europe Qualifier event held in the Netherlands in 2018, where 18 sides featured in three concurrent round-robin groups to determine which six sides would travel to Guernsey the following summer to compete for a spot at the Global Qualifier in the United Arab Emirates.
Andy Wright, the ICC's development manager for the Europe region, commented: "We are delighted to announce the dates and hosts for three important events that are taking place this summer. Twenty-four European teams will have the opportunity to compete in an expanded qualification process to qualify for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021.
"We are also thrilled that Finland will be hosting an ICC event for the first time, showcasing the appetite and ability of our members to host international events."
The announcement follows the governing body revealing last week the full qualification schedule for the 2021 tournament, which will be the second such tournament in as many years after more than four years' absence from the men's calendar.
As hosts, India receive an automatic berth at the tournament and will be joined by the top 12 nations from this year's edition, which opens in Australia on October 18.
The remaining four places will be filled by the top two sides from each of two Global Qualifiers, where champion nations from each of the board's five regions will battle it out to reach the top-tier tournament.
Europe Qualifier A – May 16-22 in Spain
Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Israel, Italy, Malta, Norway, Spain
Europe Qualifier B – June 24-30 in Finland
Finland, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Luxembourg, Sweden
Europe Qualifier C – June 10-16 in Belgium
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Isle of Man, Portugal, Romania, Serbia
Qualifier trophy image: ICC / Getty
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