The fifteen teams were divided into three pools of four teams and one pool of three. The four pool winners took part in play-offs to determine the two nations advancing to the World Group II play-offs. The nations finishing last in their pools took part in play-offs, with the two losing nations being relegated to Group II in 2010.
The six teams were divided into two pool of three teams each. The winner of each pool played the runner-up of the other pool to determine which two nations will be promoted to Group I in 2010. The bottom nation in each pool will be relegated to Europe/Africa Zone Group III in 2010.