Hockey World Cup 2023: Wales announce Squad for historic WC debut

The tournament will kick-off in India on January 13.

Wales will make their Hockey World Cup debut at the 2023 FIH men's hockey World Cup. They have released the 20-member squad for the tournament in India next month. Along with Wales, Chile will be the other debutant to play at the world cup. Wales are placed in Pool D alongside hosts India, England, and Spain and will be playing their opening encounter against neighbours England.

Wales won a bronze medal at the 1908 Olympics which is the only major title to date for the team and since they have been part of Great Britain at the Olympics. The team has been an integral part of the Commonwealth Games and recently finished in the sixth spot (the highest ranking to date at the CWG) in the 2022 Birmingham Games.

Draper and Shipperly are back in the squad after having represented Great Britain at the FIH men’s pro league. Luke Hawker, Lewis Prosser, and Shipperly will be sharing the captaincy duties. This will be one of the most prestigious tournaments for Wales after having to struggle a lot financially. Study in Wales was announced as the sponsor for the Wales National team in August 2022.

Wales Squad for 2023 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup

Toby Reynolds-Cotterill

Rhys Payne

Gareth Furlong

Daniel Kyriakides

Hywel Jones

Ioan Wall

Steve Kelly

Lewis Prosser

Dale Hutchinson

Jacob Draper

Gareth Griffiths

Rhys Bradshaw

Rupert Shipperley

Fred Newbold

Ben Francis

Luke Hawker

James Carson

Jack Pritchard

Reserve team members

Rhodri Furlong

Jolyon Morgan

Currently, the Wales men’s national team are forced to crowdfund for participating in the Hockey World Cup in India next month. This is not the first time that a national side have been forced to fundraise for participating in major competitions. Canada crowdfunded their visit to India for the Hockey World Cup in 2018, while South African men did the same for their participation at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.