The sixteen teams were divided into four pools of four teams. The four pool winners will take part in play-offs to determine the two nations advancing to the World Group II Play-offs. The nations finishing last in their pools will take part in relegation play-offs, with the two losing nations being relegated to Group II for 2014.
The eight teams were divided into two pools of four teams. The two nations placing first and second will take part in play-offs to determine the two nations advancing to Group I. The nations finishing last in their pools will take part in relegation play-offs, with the two losing nations being relegated to Group III for 2014.
The thirteen teams were divided into three pools of three teams and one pool of four. The four pool winners will take part in play-offs to determine the two nations advancing to Group II for 2014. The fourth nation in Pool D will not compete in the positional play-offs.