Pakistan has officially withdrawn from the FIH Hockey World Cup for Junior Men, scheduled to begin on November 28 in Chennai and Madurai, India. The team was originally placed in the same group as India, Chile, and Switzerland in the 24-nation tournament.
Confirming Pakistan’s withdrawal, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) cited security concerns and strained bilateral relations between Pakistan and the host nation. The federation stated that a replacement team will be announced soon, and the tournament will proceed as planned.
The decision follows a period of uneasy sporting ties between the two neighboring countries. Although both India and Pakistan recently competed at the Sultan of Johor Hockey Tournament for Junior Men, where India finished runners-up to Australia and Pakistan placed fourth after a 2-3 loss, direct bilateral engagement remains limited.
In recent years, India and Pakistan have avoided hosting each other for sporting events, meeting only at neutral venues. Their most recent clash came during the ICC Women’s World Cup in Colombo, where India defeated Pakistan. Last month, India also beat Pakistan three times in men’s cricket matches held in Dubai.
Adding to the tension, Pakistan refused to travel to Rajgir, Bihar, for the Asia Cup Hockey Tournament for Men, which served as a qualifier for the senior World Cup. Reports of Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams refusing to shake hands with Pakistani players during international fixtures have further strained relations. Pakistan cited such incidents as part of its reasoning for not sending its junior hockey squad to India.
Interestingly, in the Sultan of Johor Cup earlier this month, the India–Pakistan encounter ended in a 3–3 draw, offering fans a glimpse of renewed rivalry at the junior level. Many hockey enthusiasts had hoped Pakistan would allow its young players to participate in the FIH World Cup to gain international experience.
The withdrawal comes despite a recent policy decision by the Pakistan government approving participation in the FIH Pro League—where India and Pakistan are set to meet in the coming season. The sudden reversal, therefore, represents a significant setback to already fragile sporting diplomacy between the two nations.
The last time a Pakistani team played in India was during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, where they competed in Ahmedabad and other cities to a warm reception from local fans.
