BHUBANESWAR: India’s men’s hockey team has been consolidated alongside England, Spain and Wales in Pool D, as the 2023 FIH draw men’s hockey world cup took place here on Thursday.
Ranked number five in the world, India is the highest ranked team in its pool.
The winners of the group stage will qualify directly for the quarter-finals while the second and third-placed teams will have to play crossover matches, which will decide their stay in the tournament.
In Pool A, Australia, champions of the Commonwealth Games, are associated with Argentina, France and Chile. Pool B includes reigning world champions Belgium, South Korea, fourth-placed Germany and Japan.
The Netherlands, New Zealand, Malaysia and Chile are placed in Pool C.
Ranked number five in the world, India is the highest ranked team in its pool.
The winners of the group stage will qualify directly for the quarter-finals while the second and third-placed teams will have to play crossover matches, which will decide their stay in the tournament.
In Pool A, Australia, champions of the Commonwealth Games, are associated with Argentina, France and Chile. Pool B includes reigning world champions Belgium, South Korea, fourth-placed Germany and Japan.
The Netherlands, New Zealand, Malaysia and Chile are placed in Pool C.
While the iconic Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar also hosted the previous edition of the World Cup and won worldwide acclaim for its outstanding infrastructure, this time the coveted event will also be held at the heart of Odishahockey belt of Rourkela, a region famous for its heritage in the sport, having produced many international players.
The two venues that will host the tournament from January 13-29 next year will be Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar and the brand new Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela.
This is the second consecutive World Cup to be held in India, and the fourth overall.