Will Pakistan and India Compete Together in the Junior World Cup?

Mumbai, June 28 (NationPress) Despite ongoing concerns regarding their participation in the event in India, primarily due to the rising calls for their exclusion following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, Pakistan was on Saturday placed in the same group as their fierce rivals India in the expanded 24-team FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025, scheduled to take place in Tamil Nadu from November to December this year.

The draw was conducted by FIH President Tayyab Ikram, who, interestingly, has Pakistani roots but represents Macau within the organization. He pulled out the ball featuring Pakistan's name during the penultimate phase of the draw, thereby placing the inaugural 1979 champions in Group B alongside India, Chile, and Switzerland.

The FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu will occur between November 28 and December 10, with matches held in Chennai and Madurai. India holds the distinction of being a two-time champion of this prestigious tournament, claiming victory in 2001 and 2016 in Lucknow. They also finished as runners-up in 1997 and placed fourth on three separate occasions (2005, 2021, and 2023).

During the draw ceremony, Tayyab Ikram was joined by Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India, and Cdr. RK Srivastava, Director General of Hockey India, as 24 teams were organized into six pools of four teams each.

In Group B, India and Pakistan stand as the top teams. Group A features the reigning champions Germany, the most successful team in the history of the event with seven titles, as well as South Africa, Canada, and Ireland.

Group C consists of three-time champions Argentina and New Zealand, alongside Asian rivals Japan and China. Group D includes Spain, Belgium, Egypt, and Namibia, while Pool E has the Netherlands, Malaysia, England, and Austria vying for advancement to the knockout stage. The last edition's runner-up, France, is competing in Group F with former champions Australia, South Korea, and Bangladesh.

Teams will engage in a round-robin format within their respective pools, with group leaders progressing to the quarterfinals. The remaining teams will participate in crossover matches to establish the final quarterfinalists and those involved in classification matches.

Prior to the draw, Tayyab Ikram expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya for recognizing hockey as a premier sport and supporting it not only in India but across Asia and worldwide.

“This aligns with the FIH's strategy to empower and engage youth from all nations, including emerging ones. This event marks the initial step toward achieving that. I extend my thanks to the leadership of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, for welcoming young talents to Tamil Nadu in the beautiful cities of Chennai and Madurai. This World Cup also presents an opportunity to enhance our hockey infrastructure and to introduce a state-of-the-art hockey stadium in Madurai,” Ikram stated, as quoted in an FIH release on Saturday.

Hockey India Secretary General, Bhola Nath Singh, also expressed gratitude to PM Modi and Dr. Mandaviya, along with TN CM Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin, for their support for the event.

“This achievement would not have been possible without the guidance and assistance of our elder brother, Dato Tayyab Ikram, whose advocacy for international hockey has been invaluable. Before the draw, I congratulate all 24 participating teams and extend a warm welcome to each delegation in India. We hope this event provides a memorable and enriching experience for everyone,” Singh remarked.

Germany currently holds the title of Junior Men’s World Champions, having triumphed over France 2–1 in the final of the 2023 edition, marking their record-extending seventh title.