The group stage draw for the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation's World Championships qualifier has been made ©IWRF

The group stage draw for the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation's World Championship qualifier has been made before the tournament takes place in April.

Eight teams will take part in Nottwill in Switzerland with four spots at the World Championship in Sydney up for grabs.

They have been initially drawn into two groups of four, with world number eight New Zealand the highest ranked country set to compete.

The Kiwis have been placed in Pool B and will play South Korea, Ireland and Brazil.

Germany, who are currently number 10 in the world, are the best-ranked side in Pool A.

They have been drawn to play Colombia, Poland and Switzerland.

Australia are the defending world and Paralympic champions ©Getty Images
Australia are the defending world and Paralympic champions ©Getty Images

The Swiss, as the host nation, were given the chance to decide what group they wanted to play in after the first six teams had been allocated.

Their decision automatically assigned Brazil to Pool A.

The qualification tournament is due to take place between April 2 and 8.

Sydney will then host the World Championship at the Olympic Park Sports Centre and Genea Netball Centre between August 5 and 10.

Hosts Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, Sweden and the United States have all already qualified via their respective regional championships.

The home side are the defending world champions, having won the 2014 edition in Odense in Denmark.

Australia also won Paralympic gold at Rio 2016.