The 22 participating teams have been split into four groups, with two top-eight sides from the 2021 Women's Softball European Championship added to each group.

While the rest of the teams will follow a round-robin format, with the winner progressing to quarter-final groups in third place, the two top-eight teams will only play one game to finalise their positions for the next stage and are assured of a top-two finish.

The next stage with have what are called quarter-final groups - each containing six teams.

The top three from each will advance to a single round-robin semi-final group, which will determine who plays in the medal matches.

The top three from the six teams in the quarter-final groups will advance to the semi-final group, with the best two teams from the final standings advancing to the medal matches.

Sides ranking fourth to sixth in the quarter-final groups will be moved to a single round-robin group to play for rankings from seventh to 12th.

"The decision of the Competition Commission follows the request by National Federations to have more balanced games, especially in the first phases of the tournament," WBSC Europe softball vice-President Gabriel Waage said.

The European Women’s Softball Championship is set be held from July 24 to 30 in Sant Boi in Spain.

The tournament will serve as a continental qualifier for the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup, with three spots up for grabs.