Despite recently being hit by the lack of a main sponsor, ESWC will soldier on in 2009 and today released the first tidbits for the new season.

Details of the grand final are scarce, other than the fact that they will take place in June. But Game Service announced the first batch of national qualifiers in an email. Though the list is currently incomplete, it can be seen below.

Preliminaries Announced

China
Colombia
France
Germany
Iran
Japan
South Korea
Madagascar
Malaysia
Mexico
Nigeria
Panama
Peru
Slovenia
Tunisia
Ukraine

However, ESWC fans from other countries shouldn't fear. There are a number of countries still under discussion, including traditionally strong countries and previous champions such as Sweden and the USA.