<P> The Test - playing nations qualify automatically for the World Cup main event while the other teams have to qualify through a series of preliminary qualifying tournaments . A new qualifying format was introduced for the 2015 Cricket World Cup . The top two teams of the 2011--13 ICC World Cricket League Championship qualify directly . The remaining six teams join the third and fourth - placed teams of 2011 ICC World Cricket League Division Two and the top two teams of the 2013 ICC World Cricket League Division Three in the World Cup Qualifier to decide the remaining two places . </P> <P> Qualifying tournaments were introduced for the second World Cup, where two of the eight places in the finals were awarded to the leading teams in the ICC Trophy . The number of teams selected through the ICC Trophy had varied throughout the years . The World Cricket League (administered by the International Cricket Council) is the qualification system provided to allow the Associate and Affiliate members of the ICC more opportunities to qualify . The name "ICC Trophy" has been changed to "ICC World Cup Qualifier". </P> <P> Under the current qualifying process, the World Cricket League, all Associate and Affiliate members of the ICC are able to qualify for the World Cup . Associate and Affiliate members must play between two and five stages in the ICC World Cricket League to qualify for the World Cup finals, depending on the Division in which they start the qualifying process . </P> <P> Process summary in chronological order (2011 - 2014): </P>

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