FIM Speedway World Cup 2023 explained: How the returning global team championship works and champions are crowned

This year sees the return of the Speedway World Cup following a six-year absence from the FIM calendar.

The competition previously ran annually from 2001 until the most recent event in 2017, when it was subsequently replaced by the Speedway of Nations.

However, as part of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports’ new era for FIM Speedway, the World Cup has been revived for 2023, with the return tournament being held at the Olympic Stadium in Wroclaw, Poland from July 25-29.

The tournament breaks up the FIM Speedway Grand Prix season, from which several riders will temporarily halt their pursuit of individual glory to chase success with their countries – this includes world champion and current championship leader Bartosz Zmarzlik who will be expected to ride for Poland.

The host nation, Zmarzlik included, were winners of the last event in 2017, sealing a record-extending eighth World Cup triumph and four more than the next best team Denmark on four.

Along with Poland, Great Britain, Sweden, Czech Republic, Germany, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France will all be battling for global Speedway supremacy.

A total of nine teams will compete overall. Hosts Poland receive a bye to the final with the eight remaining teams split to face off in two four-team semi-finals.

The first semi-final on July 25 will consist of Great Britain, Sweden, Czech Republic and Germany, while 24 hours later, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France do battle.

The final will be made up of the winner from each semi-final, joining Poland on July 29.

The fourth spot is decided by a Race Off on July 28, which will feature the teams finishing second and third place in the two semis.

Team managers initially select squads of up to 10 riders before reducing that to a five-man starting line-up – four starters and a reserve – in the days leading up to the first semi-final.

Those who advance to the final or Race Off are allowed to make changes and pick from any of the riders from the initial, larger squad.

Each event, the semis, Race off and final, will consist of 20 heats with a starter from each of the four competing countries from said event.

Each team races in one helmet colour for all 20 heats, with each colour allocating an even number of starts from gates one, two, three and four in a set order.

Points from each heat are awarded as follows: three points for first place, two points for second and one point for third. Last place receives no points.

There are no semi-finals or finals in each individual event with the winner simply being the team with most points at the conclusion of all 20 heats.

Naturally, the team who collects the most points in the final will be crowned 2023 Speedway world champions.