New Zealand's capital Wellington had been due to host a World Floorball Championships event for the first time from May 4 to 8 next year, having previously staged adult and U19 women's qualifiers.

However, the International Floorball Federation (IFF) has confirmed that restrictions particularly concerning international travel mean the country will not be able to stage the Women's U19 Championships.

The global governing body said Floorball New Zealand had held talks with Government agencies including Sport New Zealand, but these had failed to result in a guarantee that participants would not be subject to the country's stringent travel restrictions.

England's netballers were permitted to travel to New Zealand for a series in August, but had to undergo a 14-day quarantine in a hotel.

New Zealand's borders have largely been closed to non-residents since the beginning of the pandemic.

A Trans-Tasman travel bubble was opened to allow quarantine-free travel to and from Australia for around three months earlier this year, but this remains closed.

Led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand has pursued a strict COVID-19 elimination strategy, including entering a snap nationwide lockdown after recording its first case of community transmission for six months.

However, the country has been unable to quash an outbreak of the Delta variant in Auckland, and yesterday its daily infections topped 200 for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, most of which were in its most populous city Auckland.

It has recorded fewer than 7,000 cases and 29 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

Last month, Ardern admitted that New Zealand would have to abandon its elimination strategy, vowing to end the strictest measures when 90 per cent of its eligible population is fully vaccinated.

The IFF said its competition department is "in discussions with an alternative organiser," and it hopes a proposal will be ready in time for its Central Board meeting on November 13 and 14, after which it would provide a further update.

A total of 16 teams are due to take part in the Women's U19 World Floorball Championships.

The top eight ranked teams from the 2020 Championships in Uppsala - delayed to 2021 - are set to feature in Groups A and B, including hosts Finland, the runners-up at the last edition Sweden and bronze medallists Czech Republic.

A further eight teams are included in Groups C and D based on their results at the 2020 Championships and regional qualifiers held in September this year, including New Zealand and debutants Singapore.

Playoff and placement games will follow the group stage.

Sweden are the record six-time winners of the Women's U19 Championships.