Pakistan refuses to play Asian Champions Trophy matches in India, seeks neutral venue

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has asked the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to move the 2026 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy out of India or, at least, shift all of Pakistan’s matches to a neutral venue, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said on Wednesday.

PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani said the federation had formally conveyed its position to the AHF, citing the sensitive situation between the two countries and seeking a neutral venue for the tournament or Pakistan’s matches.

“We have requested that the tournament be shifted to a neutral venue. Alternatively, all Pakistan matches should be played at a neutral venue,” Wani said, according to reports on Wednesday.

The development casts uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the tournament, despite earlier statements from Indian officials that the national team would travel to India.

The Men’s Asian Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5 in the Indian state of Punjab. Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony and league-stage matches from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2, while the semi-finals and final are scheduled to be played in Mohali on Nov. 4 and 5 respectively, according to Hockey India.

Six teams — defending champions India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea — are listed for the tournament, while Bangladesh and Oman have been named as reserve teams in case of withdrawals.

Pakistan and India are scheduled to meet in the league stage in Jalandhar on Nov. 1.

Pakistan participation subject to government clearance

Wani had already made clear that the PHF could not independently confirm Pakistan’s participation in the India-hosted tournament.

The PHF chief said Pakistan’s proposed visit to India would be subject to clearance from the federal government and that the federation would follow whatever decision the government made. He also said an earlier statement by Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirming Pakistan’s participation had no bearing on the PHF’s position.

Mann had announced on Sept. 14 that Pakistan would be among the six teams competing in the tournament, saying India’s policy allowed Pakistan to participate in multinational sporting events even though bilateral series between the two countries remained restricted.

The conflicting positions mean Pakistan’s participation cannot yet be treated as final, with the PHF now additionally seeking a change to the tournament venue or arrangements for its matches.

India-Pakistan sporting tensions

The latest development comes amid renewed tensions in India-Pakistan sporting ties.

On Sunday, India’s women’s cricket team declined to receive the Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi after defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai.

The Indian team did not attend the trophy presentation, while Indian coach Amol Muzumdar said the decision had been taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The incident followed a similar dispute after last year’s men’s Asia Cup, when India also did not accept the trophy from Naqvi.

The hockey tournament, however, is a continental event rather than a bilateral series. Hockey India has listed Pakistan among the participating teams, while the PHF says its participation and travel remain subject to Pakistan’s government decision.

Pakistan’s previous withdrawal from India-hosted hockey event

Pakistan has previously pulled out of a hockey tournament in India amid heightened tensions between the two countries.

The Pakistan team withdrew from the 2025 Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu, with the decision coming amid strained bilateral relations following the escalation between the two countries.

The latest request for neutral venues therefore puts the Asian Champions Trophy organisers in a position where they may have to consider alternative arrangements if Pakistan maintains its demand.

For now, the tournament schedule remains unchanged, with the league phase in Jalandhar and the knockout matches in Mohali, while Pakistan’s Nov. 1 fixture against India remains on the announced programme.