A quick reflection on FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023 draws

India are pooled in what we can say is the group of death with England and Spain.

At noon on 8th September, the International Federation of Hockey (FIH) conducted the draw for the upcoming Men's Hockey World Cup to be held in Bhubaneshwar and Rourkela. The World Cup scheduled in the first month of 2023 will be the 15th edition of the event. With 16 teams qualifying for this quadrennial event, let us look at how the teams were placed in the 4 pools.

Hosts India, who are one of the four highest ranked teams were drawn first in pool D. They were soon joined by England and Wales who they recently met at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. Two-time runners up - Spain also were pooled alongside the hosts.

The four pools drawn:

• Pool A - Australia, Argentina, France, South Africa

• Pool B - Belgium, Germany, Japan, South Korea

• Pool C - Netherlands, New Zealand, Malaysia, Chile

• Pool D - India, England, Spain, Wales

Quick note on Pool D

One can say that India have been drawn into the group of death. Matches between India and England have always proved to be high-scoring. Spain under the new leadership of Max Caldas will prove to be a very tactical encounter. India will need to ensure they come out on top in these two fixtures, as the crossovers round brings back bad memories. Wales, who are the lowest ranked team in the group can possess a threat on their day. India will need to tread carefully and replicate their performance from the recent Commonwealth Games.

What we think of the rest pools

Talking about other pools, group A looks the most exciting on paper. Every fixture in the group will prove to be a terrific watch. The rise of France and South Africa in the last year makes it difficult to predict. Watch out for the Cassiem brothers from South Africa and the young and powerful forward line of France. They could spoil Argentina's party if they are clinical enough.

Reigning Pro League champions the Netherlands have been handed an easy path to the next round. New Zealand are their only biggest threat. Malaysia, who opted out of the Commonwealth Games, will now regret their decision. The Games would have given them a true picture of how their fare against the world's best. Chile's men will hope to create some news at the tournament just like their women's team did in the World Cup this year in Spain and Netherlands.

Pool B promises us a crowd-favourite fixture between Belgium and Germany. The two European giants have always put on a spectacle for the crowd and the people of Odisha will be hoping for the same in January 2023. Asian powerhouses Japan and South Korea have also been drawn into the same group. The fight for the crossover spots will be an interesting one to follow.

With 127 days left for the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023, the teams will now begin their preparations with the new season of Pro League and the newly introduced Nations Cup. The match schedule for the tournament will be released in a couple of days. Fans across the world will keep an eye out for the India-England, Australia-Argentina and Belgium-Germany clash.