The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has officially announced the schedule for the Hockey World Cup Qualifiers, confirming that the Pakistan hockey team will compete in the qualifying event to be held in Egypt.
The tournament will take place from March 1 to March 7 in the Egyptian city of Ismailia, featuring some of the world’s top hockey nations battling for a place in the upcoming World Cup.
Teams Participating in the Qualifiers
Alongside Pakistan, the qualifiers will feature England, Egypt, Malaysia, Japan, Austria, China, and the United States. The eight teams have been divided into two groups, ensuring competitive group-stage matches before the knockout rounds.
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Pool A: Egypt (hosts), England, Japan, USA
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Pool B: Pakistan, China, Malaysia, Austria
Pakistan’s Match Schedule
Pakistan will begin its campaign on March 1 with a crucial opening match against China. The national side will then face Malaysia on March 2, followed by a group-stage clash against Austria on March 4.
Based on group standings, the semi-finals will be played on March 6, while the final is scheduled for March 7, where teams will fight for qualification and momentum ahead of the World Cup.
World Cup Hosts Confirmed
It has also been confirmed that the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup will be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, two nations known for their strong hockey infrastructure and passionate fan bases.
The qualifiers present a crucial opportunity for Pakistan hockey to regain its presence on the global stage and secure a spot in one of the sport’s biggest tournaments.
