Why Pakistan are not playing in Men's Hockey World Cup 2023

The Green Machines are four-time winners of the competition.

Pakistan were once considered the powerhouse of field hockey and are the only nation to win the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 four times followed by the Netherlands (3). Pakistan was the inaugural World Cup champion defeating Spain in their own backyard and then went on to win the 1979,1982, and 1994 editions respectively. The Asian heavyweights hosted the mega event only once and finished runner-up losing to the Netherlands, the only time they lost in the finals of the World Cup.

Since the start of the 21st century, things have changed drastically with the side failing to qualify for the knockout rounds and in 2014 falling to even qualify for World Cup. The 2023 edition will be the second time Pakistan failed to qualify, which surprised many global fans. Apart from dominating in the World Cups, Pakistan has won several Olympic medals as well (1956 - silver, 1960 - gold)

Factors in decline of Pakistan hockey  

Change from natural to artificial turf

In the late 1980s, the International hockey federation decided to move hockey from natural to artificial turf. This move affected India and Pakistan badly as both were not used to playing on artificial turf and the downfall of Indian hockey started a decade before Pakistan’s downfall. India finished 5th in the 1982 edition and since has not finished a place higher in the successive editions. 

Pakistan in the 1986 edition could win only one group match as they found it hard to adapt to playing on the Astroturf surface. The Europeans started to dominate with the decline of Asia and the former also improved fitness levels, training, and coaching.

Lack of support from Federation

Two foreign coaches (Roelant Oltmans and Siegfried Aikman) in the last few years have left the coaching setup due to improper functioning and salary debt. Siegfried Aikman left the coaching setup in 2022 whereas Oltmans, the former Indian coach, left in 2019.  

Lack of Infrastructure

Many international experts in the past have described the lack of infrastructure which is one of the major reasons for the decline. In the past various govt and private sector companies supported hockey but in recent times the support has declined at a rapid rate. Recently a hockey stadium hosted a concert/function which didn’t go well with many hockey stalwarts. Hockey stadiums nowadays aren't used for training but rather for other random uses.

Why Pakistan did not qualify for 2023 World Cup

The Asia Cup was the last qualifying event for the World Cup with teams fighting out for four spots. Pakistan couldn't reach the last four thereby failing to qualify for the World Cup for the second time. They drew against India (1-1) and defeated Indonesia (13-0) in the group stages. Pakistan, India, and Pakistan were slated in Pool A.

South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia have filled in the gap left by Pakistan and have started to dominate at the Asian level but are far away from showing consistency at the global level. India (men) and China (women) are the only nations to play in the current edition of the pro league. Indian women’s team defeated Spain in the FIH Nations Cup to earn a spot in the 2023-24 pro league edition.