Oman replaces Pakistan in FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025 in India

This marks the second time Pakistan declined participating in Hockey events in India this season.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed that Oman will replace Pakistan in the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025 set to begin from November 28 in India, after the Pakistan declined its invitation.

The event will take place across the southern cities of Chennai and Madurai, running until December 10. The FIH had confirmed Pakistan’s withdrawal in an official statement on October 29.

“Pakistan Hockey Federation had notified the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that they have not accepted the invitation to participate in the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, after their team had qualified for this event at the Asia Junior Cup last year,” the FIH said in their statement.

“The Men’s Junior team of Oman will now join the list of participating teams for this event that will take place from 28 November to 10 December 2025 in the cities of Chennai and Madurai, India,” they added.

This will mark Oman’s debut appearance in the competition, which will feature 24 teams for the first time. India are hosting the tournament for the fourth time.

Pakistan’s decision adds to a series of recent sporting withdrawals amid heightened diplomatic and sporting tensions between the two neighbours. Just last month, the Pakistan men’s senior hockey team pulled out of the Asia Hockey Cup held in India, where Bangladesh had replaced them.

Although Pakistan had initially confirmed its participation in the Junior World Cup, the PHF’s withdrawal was widely anticipated following repeated concerns over security and the political climate.

Last week, the FIH confirmed their withdrawal stating, “We can confirm that the Pakistan Hockey Federation has notified the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that its team, initially qualified for the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, won’t participate eventually. The team replacing Pakistan for this event will be announced soon.”

Oman now join India, Chile, and Switzerland in Group B, with the tournament pools set as follows:

Pool F: France, Australia, Korea, Bangladesh

Pool A: Germany, South Africa, Canada, Ireland

Pool B: India, Oman, Chile, Switzerland

Pool C: Argentina, New Zealand, Japan, China

Pool D: Spain, Belgium, Egypt, Namibia

Pool E: Netherlands, Malaysia, England, Austria

The last edition of the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2023. Germany won the title and now they will return to defend it in Tamil Nadu.

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