FIH Confirms Pakistan’s Withdrawal from Junior Hockey World Cup, Announces Replacement Team
Oct 30, 2025
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has officially confirmed Pakistan’s withdrawal from the upcoming FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup, scheduled to take place in India from November 28 to December 10, 2025.
Following Pakistan’s exit, the FIH has announced that Oman will replace Pakistan in the tournament. Oman, which finished next in line at the Junior Asia Cup 2024, will now compete in Pool B alongside India, Chile, and Switzerland.
The decision follows the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) recent announcement that the national team would not travel to India due to the current diplomatic and security situation between the two countries. PHF President Tariq Hussain Bugti had earlier stated that cross-border sports participation was “not feasible under the existing political climate.”
Pakistan’s withdrawal is being viewed as a setback for Pakistan-India sporting ties, which have already faced challenges across multiple sports this year. Hockey — once seen as a bridge between the two nations — now finds itself affected by ongoing tensions.
Here’s the updated group lineup for the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup 2025:
| Pool | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Canada, Germany, Ireland, South Africa |
| B | Chile, India, Oman, Switzerland |
| C | Argentina, China, Japan, New Zealand |
| D | Belgium, Egypt, Spain, Namibia |
| E | Austria, England, Malaysia, Netherlands |
| F | Australia, Bangladesh, France, Korea |
The group stage will be played from November 28 to December 2, followed by knockout rounds from December 4 to 10.
Pakistan’s absence will be deeply felt by the global hockey community. The country has a rich history in the sport, with four World Cup titles and three Olympic gold medals, but recent years have seen a decline in its international presence — a challenge that this latest decision is likely to intensify.
