The Men’s Hockey World Cup is an elite competition of field hockey that is conducted every four years.
The event is organized and managed by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The first edition of the men's hockey World Cup was played in 1971 and has completed 14 editions so far.
Pakistan is the most successful team in the tournament, having clinched four World Cup titles. The Netherlands and Australia are behind the Asian nation, with both hockey powerhouses winning the trophy three times each. Germany has lifted the cup twice, while India and Belgium have won it once in history.
2023 Men’s Hockey World Cup
The 2023 Men’s Hockey World Cup will be the 15th edition of the quadrennial world championship event. It is scheduled from January 13 to January 29 in India.
India's eastern state Odisha will host the tournament at two different venues - Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and the newly constructed Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.
2023 Hockey World Cup Format
Just like in 2018, the upcoming World Cup will see the participation of the 16 qualified teams. Apart from hosting India, five continental champions earned direct qualification. The 16 teams will be divided into four groups, each comprising four teams, and a total of 24 pool-stage matches will be played. The group winners of all four groups will advance for the quarter-finals and the second and third-place teams will play in the cross-over games.
Four teams from cross-overs will qualify for the quarter-finals followed by the two semi-finals and final.
2023 Hockey World Cup Group Divisions
Pool A: Australia, Argentina, France & South Africa.
Pool B: Belgium, Germany, South Korea & Japan.
Pool C: Netherlands, New Zealand, Malaysia & Chile.
Pool D: India, England, Spain & Wales.
2018 World Cup
The 2014 World Cup was also staged in India but only at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar. The final was played between Belgium and the Netherlands as the match ended in a 0-0 stalemate and the results were determined via penalties. Belgium pipped the Dutch 3-2 in the shootouts. Defending champions Australia finished at third place.
