The much-delayed draw for the 2025 Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup was finally completed in Lausanne on Saturday with India and Pakistan drawn in the same group, adding another layer to both the excitement and uncertainty around the neighbouring team’s participation in the event.
The event, to be hosted by Chennai and Madurai in December this year, will be the first-ever 24-team competition in international hockey with the FIH president Tayyab Ikram stating it was an attempt to “try to empower and engage youth from all nations.” The draw, earlier reported to be held on June 5 and later on June 24, was finally held at the FIH headquarters.
The 24 teams have been divided into six Pools of four each from A to F. India and Pakistan are in Pool B along with Switzerland and Chile while defending champion Germany is in Pool A with South Africa, Canada and Ireland. The toughest is expected to be Pool E with the Netherlands, England and Malaysia grouped together along with Austria.
The ongoing tensions with Pakistan, however, have put a question mark on its participation with the FIH insisting it was proceeding with the competition as usual. Pakistan had been unable to travel in 2016 as well due to visa issues after the Uri terror attack and was replaced by Malaysia. This time, however, with 24 teams in the fray, it needs to be seen how things pan out.
The groups: Pool A: Germany, South Africa, Canada, Ireland; Pool B: India, Pakistan, Chile, Switzerland; Pool C: Argentina, New Zealand, Japan, China; Pool D: Spain, Belgium, Egypt, Namibia; Pool E: The Netherlands, Malaysia, England, Austria; Pool F: France, Australia, Korea, Bangladesh.
Published – June 28, 2025 06:14 pm IST
