Hockey World Cup 2026: Pakistan to play qualifiers in Egypt in March

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced the schedule and venues for the Hockey World Cup 2026 qualifiers, which will be held in Egypt, India and Chile.

According to the FIH, the men’s and women’s qualifiers will take place in Chile, while India will host the women’s qualifying event. Pakistan’s men’s hockey team will compete in the qualifying round scheduled to be held in Egypt.

The Egypt qualifier will be played in Ismailia from March 1 to 7. Along with Pakistan, teams from Egypt, England, Malaysia, Japan, Austria, China and the United States will participate in the tournament.

Pakistan have been placed in Group B, where they will face China, Malaysia and Austria. The Pakistan team will play China on March 1, Malaysia on March 2 and Austria on March 4.

Under the qualification format, the top three teams from each men’s qualifier will secure direct berths for the 2026 Hockey World Cup. In addition, the highest-ranked team finishing fourth across the two men’s qualifiers will also qualify for the tournament.

The Hockey World Cup 2026 will be held in August in Belgium and the Netherlands, with 16 teams set to take part. Belgium and the Netherlands have already qualified as hosts.