Traditional rivals and neighbors India and Pakistan find themselves pitted against each other in the FIH Junior World Cup Hockey Tournament to be played in Madurai and Chennai from November 28 to December 10, 2025.
Besides India and Pakistan, other teams in Pool B are Chile and Switzerland. It is the first time that 24 teams will compete in the FIH Junior World Cup for men. The defending champions, Germany, are placed in Pool A along with Canada, South Africa, and Ireland.
France, which finished as runners-up in the last edition, is in Pool F, where the other teams are Australia, Korea, and Bangladesh.
In 2023, India finished fourth, losing 1-3 to Spain in the bronze medal game. In the previous 13 editions of the Junior World Cup, 648 matches have been played, with 3,262 goals scored. So far, 31 teams have already participated in the previous editions.
Germany (2023), Argentina (2021), India (2016), Germany (2013 and 2009), Argentina (2005), India (2001), Australia (1997), Germany (1993, 1989, 1985, and 1982), and Pakistan (1979) have been the previous winners of this event.
It is the fourth time that India will be hosting this tournament. Previously, India staged the Junior World Cup in Bhubaneswar (2021), Lucknow (2016), and New Delhi (2013). The last edition in 2023 was held in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia has also organized this tournament four times, including the last edition. The other three previous occasions were Johor Bahru (2009), Ipoh (1989), and Kuala Lumpur (1982).
The draw ceremony, after one postponement (originally scheduled for June 24), was held on Saturday in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the six pools of the upcoming expanded FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu, India 2025, featuring 24 teams for the very first time, were determined. The pools are:
- 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: Netherlands, Malaysia, England, Austria
- Pool F: France, Australia, Korea, Bangladesh
FIH President Tayyab Ikram, who participated in the draw ceremony along with Mr. Bhola Nath Singh, Hockey India Secretary General, and Commodore (Retd.) R.K. Srivastava, Hockey India Director General, said, “It is a great pleasure for me to be here ahead of a milestone moment as we start the journey towards the first-ever 24-team FIH Junior Hockey World Cup.
“It is a part of the FIH strategy to empower and engage the youth from all nations, including the emerging nations, and this event will be the first step towards doing that. I express my gratitude to the Tamil Nadu leadership, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, for welcoming the young stars to the state of Tamil Nadu into the two beautiful cities of Chennai and Madurai.
“This World Cup also brings with it the opportunity to enhance our hockey infrastructure and, in the city of Madurai, introduce a new state-of-the-art hockey stadium. I would also like to thank the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh L. Mandaviya for seeing hockey as a prime sport and supporting it not only in India but also across Asia and globally.”
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh said, “Today marks a landmark moment for the world of hockey as we witness the pool draw for the inaugural FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, featuring 24 nations.”
He also extended his thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his resolute support of hockey and its players across the nation. He said that India’s hockey landscape has gained significant momentum. He also thanked Chief Minister Stalin for his committed vision in promoting hockey both in Tamil Nadu and beyond.
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