LAHORE - International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced the schedule of three world cup qualifying rounds on Tuesday. The 12 teams will take part in the World Cup, being played from February 28 to March 13 2010 at New Delhi, India. Nine teams already qualified for the World Cup through continental rounds. Rest of the three teams will qualify from the qualifying rounds. According to the schedule, the first qualifying round will be played at Lille, France from October 31 to November 8 2009. The participating teams are Pakistan (7), Japan (14), France (17), Poland (22), Russia (23) and Italy (26). The second round will be played at Invercargill, New Zealand from to November 7 to 15. The participating teams are New Zealand (8), China (13), Malaysia (16), Austria (20), Scotland (24) and Wales (29). The third qualifying round will take place at Quilmes, Argentina from November 14 to 22. The participating teams are Belgium (9), Argentina (10), Ireland (18), USA (19), Czech Republic (25) and Italy (27). The nine qualified team for World Cup are India (host), Canada (Pan American Cup Champion), Korea (Asia Cup Champion), Australia (Oceania Cup Champion), South Africa (Africa Cup Champion), England (Euro Hockey Nations Champion), Germany (Silver Medalist of Euro Hockey Nations Cup), Netherlands (Bronze Medalist of Euro Hockey Nations Cup) and Spain (Fourth Ranked team of Euro Hockey Nations Cup). After securing second position in Asia Cup, Pakistan climbed to 6th from 8th in world hockey ranking. According to the latest ranking after Euro Hockey Nations Cup England (Champions) climbed to 6th and Pakistan went on 7th rank on points basis.