FIH qualifiers: Pakistan to battle for final spot in Hockey World Cup 2026

LAHORE: After missing out on the Men’s Asia Cup, the Pakistan national hockey team now faces a do-or-die challenge as they prepare to participate in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, scheduled from February 28 to March 8 next year.

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This will be Pakistan’s last and only chance to book a spot in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, set to be jointly hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed that two separate qualifying tournaments will be held during the designated window, each featuring eight teams. The top three sides from each event will directly secure qualification to the World Cup, while the best-ranked fourth-place finisher across both tournaments will claim the final available slot.

Belgium, Netherlands, Australia, Spain, Argentina, and Germany are among the six powerhouses who have already qualified, while the winner of the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup will also get an automatic berth. One more team will qualify from Continental Championship. New Zealand will also qualify from the Oceania region. Following Australia’s dominant performance that secured their spot in the World Cup, New Zealand automatically qualified as the only remaining team from Oceania.

A diverse mix of hockey nations including the USA, Canada, Chile, France, England, Austria, Poland, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland will be competing alongside five Asian teams, including Pakistan, and one African team in the qualifiers.

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With only 16 teams set to feature in World Cup 2026, the pressure is mounting on Pakistan’s once-glorious hockey side to rise to the occasion and reclaim their lost legacy on the world stage.