Pakistan on cusp of returning to the FIH World Cup 2026

By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Pakistan hockey could receive a much-needed boost if the national team secures qualification for this year’s FIH Hockey World Cup.
Pakistan will face Japan in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers on Friday in Ismailia, Egypt. Victory in the crucial encounter would see the Green-shirts return to the global showpiece after missing the previous edition held in India in 2023.
Pakistan topped Group B after winning all three of their matches and now stand just one victory away from sealing a place in the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30.
In the other semi-final, Group A winners England will take on Malaysia, who finished runners-up in Group B.
Pakistan’s strong showing comes despite recent administrative uncertainty surrounding the country’s hockey structure, with the team responding with impressive performances throughout the tournament.
The four-time world champions began their campaign with a narrow 5-4 victory over China before defeating Malaysia 5-3 in their second match. They sealed the top spot in the group on Wednesday with a 4-2 win over Austria.
Pakistan captain Ammad Shakeel Butt said the team was fully focused on securing qualification for the global event.
“The way the team delivered, I give credit to the entire squad and thank God that we have reached the semi-finals,” Ammad said.
“The semi-final is a very important match for us and we will make every effort to win it and qualify for the World Cup.”
Pakistan failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup, which was hosted by India and won by Germany, with Belgium finishing runners-up and the Netherlands third.
For Pakistan — once a dominant force in world hockey — missing the tournament was another setback in a prolonged period of decline for the sport in the country.
Pakistan have won the Hockey World Cup a record four times — in 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994 — but have struggled to maintain that legacy in recent years. They also failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in the Netherlands and exited in the group stage of the 2018 edition in India.
Ammad credited the authorities and team management for boosting the players’ morale during the qualifiers.
“I am thankful to Mohsin Naqvi and the government for supporting us. The players have been well facilitated and the morale of the team is very high,” he said.
“We are just one step away from qualifying and we hope to give a gift to the nation.”
The captain also urged fans to support the team ahead of the crucial clash against Japan.
“I request the nation to pray for us. This is a team that has the potential to win titles for Pakistan,” he added.
The qualifiers in Ismailia feature eight teams competing for places in the 2026 World Cup. Group A comprises England, Egypt, Japan and the United States, while Group B includes Pakistan, China, Malaysia and Austria.