A record 14 nations will take part in this year's IFA Women's World Championships ©IFA

A total of 14 nations will gather for the International Fistball Association (IFA) 2018 Women’s World Championship in Austria, making it the biggest World Championship in the sport's history.

The IFA has invited eight European nations, four from America and two from the Asia-Oceania zone.

"We are very happy that so many nations from all over the world will participate at the World Championships," said the IFA President, Karl Weiss.

"The organising team is working hard to prepare a great event for all the players, officials, referees and spectators and we’re glad to welcome all of them in Austria."

The ÖBV-Arena in Linz is due to host the 2018 Women’s World Championship in July ©Wikipedia
The ÖBV-Arena in Linz is due to host the 2018 Women’s World Championship in July ©Wikipedia

The matches are due to take place in the ÖBV-Arena in Linz from July 24, with the final taking place on July 28.

The eight European nations taking part will be Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Serbia and Switzerland.

America will have Argentina, Brazil, Chile and the United States, while Australia and New Zealand will represent Asia-Oceania.

The last IFA Women's World Championship took place two years ago in Curitiba in Brazil, where Germany beat the hosts in the final, their fifth victory in seven editions of the event.