The Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup has seen a major change as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed on Wednesday that Oman will replace Pakistan in the upcoming tournament scheduled to be held in India from November 28 to December 10, 2025.
The decision follows Pakistan’s withdrawal from the global event, citing security concerns. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) formally announced the move through its secretary, Rana Mujahid, who stated that the situation made it “inappropriate” for the team to travel to India.
“Under the prevailing circumstances, it is by no means appropriate to travel to India and play,” Mujahid said.
“Pakistan had proposed playing its matches at a neutral venue, but the suggestion was not accepted by the FIH,” he added.
FIH Confirms Oman’s Participation
Shortly after Pakistan’s exit, the FIH issued a press release confirming that Oman would take its place in the Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup. Oman’s qualification is based on its ranking in the Junior Asia Cup 2024, which served as a qualifier for the World Cup.
“For the very first time, the FIH Hockey Junior World Cups 2025 — for both men and women — will feature 24 teams each,” the statement read. “This expansion ensures greater accessibility to FIH events, aligning with our Empowerment and Engagement strategy.”
The expanded format aims to promote inclusivity and global representation in hockey, marking a significant milestone for the sport’s growth.
Tournament Schedule and Pools
The pool stage matches will take place from November 28 to December 2, followed by knockout rounds from December 4 to December 10.
Pools for the Men’s Junior World Cup 2025:
- Pool A: Canada, Germany, Ireland, South Africa
- Pool B: Chile, India, Oman, Switzerland
- Pool C: Argentina, China, Japan, New Zealand
- Pool D: Belgium, Egypt, Spain, Namibia
- Pool E: Austria, England, Malaysia, Netherlands
- Pool F: Australia, Bangladesh, France, Korea
This marks Oman’s first appearance in the Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, a proud moment for the nation’s growing hockey community.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s withdrawal has drawn disappointment among fans, as the team was expected to deliver a strong performance following recent improvements in youth hockey development.
In other news also read about Pakistan’s Shock Exit Junior Hockey World Cup Dream Ends Before It Begins
