Fourteen teams attempted to qualify for the 2009 Speedway World Cup. The top six nations (Denmark, Poland, Sweden, Australia, Great Britain and Russia) from the 2008 Speedway World Cup were granted automatic qualification, with the remaining two places divided among two qualifying rounds. Qualifying Round 1 was won by Slovenia and Qualifying Round 2 was won by the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic took part in the 2008 tournament, but it was the first time Slovenia had qualified since 2003.
Squads for the 2009 Speedway World Cup consisted of 10 riders; the same as the previous tournament in 2008. Each participating national association had to confirm its 10-riders one month before the first tournament meeting.