The number of teams competing in golf's World Cup in China this November has been increased from 24 to 28.

No longer part of the World Golf Championships series, 18 countries will be exempt based on next week's world rankings and the other 10 will emerge from qualifying events in Asia and South America at the end of next month.

That qualifying number will come down to nine should hosts China require an invitation to play.

With Open champion Padraig Harrington giving the event a miss for the first time since 1995 - he and Paul McGinley won in 1997 - Ireland could be among the nations having to qualify.

Ireland's second highest-ranked player in the world at the moment is Graeme McDowell at 126th, followed by Darren Clarke at 143rd and McGinley at 164th.

Another change this year sees the return of the original Canada Cup trophy, which was not used while the tournament was under the WGC umbrella.

Since 2000 the trophy has been housed at the World Golf Hall of Fame in Florida.  The event is set to continue through 2018, and most probably beyond, at Mission Hills in Shenzen.

The World Cup in China takes place between November 22nd and 25th.