Pakistan has qualified for the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup after eight years, following a thrilling victory over Japan in the semifinal of the qualifying tournament held in Egypt.
Pakistan secured a 4-3 win against Japan earning a place in the final of the qualifiers and confirming their qualification for the upcoming World Cup. The match proved to be an intense contest, with both teams showing strong attacking play but Pakistan managed to hold on to its narrow lead until the final whistle.
With this victory, Pakistan’s national hockey team will return to the World Cup stage for the first time since the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup. The team had failed to qualify for the most recent edition of the tournament making this achievement a significant milestone for Pakistani hockey.
The upcoming Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup will be held from August 14 to August 30, 2026, and will be jointly hosted by Belgium and Netherlands.
Pakistan, one of the most successful nations in hockey history, hopes this qualification will mark the beginning of a strong comeback for the sport in the country and inspire a new generation of players and fans.
