The European Ryder Cup board said Friday it would make the announcement no earlier than May 22, the opening day of the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth.
The new procedure is likely to include the top five players from the European Order of Merit, five from the world rankings and two picked by the captain.
Under the present system, the top 10 players from the Order of Merit make the team automatically and the captain adds two picks. This system has been weakened in recent years because many of Europe's top players compete in the United States.
Sam Torrance, who captained the victorious 2002 team, has endorsed Woosnam to head the 2004 team at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Woosnam was Torrance's assistant this year.
Langer has helped build golf's popularity in Europe outside Britain and Ireland.