Pakistan, four-time champions of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, will make their return to the tournament after an eight-year hiatus as they face England in their opening Pool D match on Saturday. The game is set to take place at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, with a 10pm Pakistan Standard Time kickoff.
Having missed qualification for the 2023 World Cup, Pakistan secured their spot in this edition through the qualifiers. The Green Shirts aim to revive their international standing following a challenging period for Pakistan hockey.
Currently ranked 12th globally, Pakistan confronts a tough opponent in third-ranked England. The team has been preparing in Amsterdam, where they participated in two warm-up matches to acclimate and sharpen their skills ahead of the tournament.
Pakistan’s team manager, Muhammad Awais Qarni, confirmed that the squad is in good physical shape and enthusiastic to begin their campaign. He noted that the team is relatively inexperienced at this level, with only Ammad Shakeel Butt and captain Abu Bakar having previous World Cup experience.
“It’s a young side, and apart from Ammad Shakeel Butt and skipper Abu Bakar, the rest are set to make their World Cup debut,” Awais stated. The team utilized their preparatory matches against South Africa and Japan to gain valuable exposure, suffering a 3-1 defeat to South Africa but securing a 2-1 victory over Japan.
These matches were designed to expose the players to various scenarios, forming a crucial part of their overall strategy. The weather in the Netherlands has also posed challenges, with temperatures recently soaring above 34 degrees Celsius, though conditions are expected to improve in the coming days.
Historically, Pakistan and England have clashed eight times at the World Cup, with Pakistan winning twice, England four times, and two matches ending in draws. This year, the teams have met three times, with England winning all three encounters.
Following their match against England, Pakistan will face Wales on August 17 and then take on traditional rivals India on August 19 in their final Pool D fixture. The group also includes India and Wales, making these early matches critical for Pakistan’s advancement.
The 2026 World Cup is jointly hosted by Amstelveen and Wavre, Belgium, running from August 15 to 30. The tournament introduces a new crossover-pool format, where teams progress to Pools E through H after the opening stage, replacing the traditional direct quarter-final qualification.
Pakistan remains one of the most successful teams in World Cup history, having claimed the title four times in 1971, 1978, 1982, and 1994. Germany enters the competition as the defending champions, while Australia, the Netherlands, and Germany have each won the tournament three times.
With a youthful squad eager to prove themselves, Pakistan will rely on their experienced players to guide them through what promises to be a demanding and competitive World Cup campaign.
