Will India Face Chile on Day 1 of the Junior Men's World Cup?

Chennai, Sep 8 (NationPress) Former champions India will kick off their journey against Chile in the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on November 28. The defending champions, Germany, are set to clash with South Africa in the tournament's opening match in Madurai. This prestigious event will feature 24 teams competing across two venues in Tamil Nadu, as outlined in the schedule released on Monday.

The highly awaited rivalry between India and Pakistan will occur on November 29 in Chennai.

The match schedule was unveiled during a ceremony in Chennai on Monday, attended by FIH President Tayyab Ikram, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey, and Hockey India Secretary General Bholanath Singh.

This edition of the World Cup will mark a historic moment as it welcomes 24 teams for the first time, taking place from November 28 to December 10, 2025, in Chennai and Madurai.

The teams are divided into six pools of four. Pool A includes Germany, South Africa, Canada, and Ireland; Pool B hosts India, Pakistan, Chile, and Switzerland; Pool C contains Argentina, New Zealand, Japan, and China; Pool D features Spain, Belgium, Egypt, and Namibia; Pool E consists of The Netherlands, Malaysia, England, and Austria; while Pool F is made up of France, Australia, Korea, and Bangladesh.

With the match schedule now announced, the tournament approaches, overcoming previous concerns regarding Pakistan's participation, following doubts about their travel to India, as seen during the Senior Men's Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar.

During the ceremony, FIH President Tayyab Ikram stated, “The launch of the match schedule for the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 signifies an exciting milestone on our journey to this prestigious event.

“This momentous occasion marks the first time in FIH history that the Junior World Cup includes 24 teams, reflecting the global growth of hockey and providing emerging hockey nations a platform to compete with established teams,” added the FIH President.

Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development & Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu, Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, commented: “With the fixtures now public, the excitement begins as fans can eagerly anticipate thrilling matches in both Chennai and Madurai. Hockey holds a cherished place in Tamil Nadu, and this event will motivate countless youths to embrace the sport. We are dedicated to collaborating with Hockey India and the International Hockey Federation to make this tournament unforgettable.”

Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey expressed, “We are thrilled that Chennai and Madurai will host this historic FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, featuring 24 teams for the first time. This is a proud moment for Indian hockey and a significant occasion for the global hockey community as we count down to an event showcasing the next generation of hockey stars.”