From chaos to comeback: Pakistan hockey returns to the World Cup after eight years

After years of decline and administrative turmoil, Pakistan hockey finally has a moment of relief. The national team secured qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 after finishing runners-up at the qualifying tournament in Ismailia, Egypt, marking Pakistan’s return to hockey’s biggest stage after an eight-year absence.

Pakistan produced an impressive run during the qualifiers. They remained unbeaten in the group stage, defeating China, Malaysia and Austria before edging past Japan in a tense semi-final. Their campaign ended with a 4–1 defeat against fourth-ranked England in the final, but by then Pakistan had already secured their place at the World Cup.

Pakistan also jumped two spots to 12^th on the FIH World Rankings after their recent wins.

The draw for the World Cup will take place on March 17 in Amsterdam at Wagener Stadium, one of the venues for the competition that will be jointly hosted by Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30, 2026.

Pakistan captain Ammad Shakeel Butt congratulated the nation on the achievement and thanked supporters who stood by the team.

“I congratulate the entire nation. Pakistan has qualified for the World Cup after eight years. I would also like to thank everyone who prayed for Pakistan hockey and supported the team. I am truly grateful to them. InshaAllah, this is the team that can win gold medals for Pakistan in the World Cup and even at the Olympics,” Butt told Nukta.

For a country that once dominated world hockey — winning three Olympic golds and lifting the World Cup four times — the return to the tournament carries significant symbolic value.

Qualification after weeks of turmoil

Pakistan’s success in Egypt came only weeks after a chaotic tour of Australia during the ongoing FIH Pro League.

The trip was overshadowed by serious administrative lapses. Accommodation arrangements reportedly collapsed in cities including Sydney and Hobart, leaving players waiting for hours with their luggage after hotels refused entry due to unpaid bills. Eventually, the squad had to stay in low-cost guest houses and short-term rentals.

After returning home, several players spoke openly about the difficulties they faced during the tour, saying the off-field uncertainty had affected their preparation and performances. The episode triggered strong criticism in Pakistan and prompted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order an inquiry.

The fallout also led to the resignation of Tariq Bugti as president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the removal of Tahir Zaman-led team management.

Redemption moment for Khawaja Junaid

The qualifiers also carried special significance for head coach Khawaja Junaid, who guided Pakistan during the tournament.

Junaid’s return to the national setup had previously been overshadowed by controversy. In 2023, he was handed a lifetime ban from hockey activities after an inquiry committee held him responsible for Pakistan’s exit from the 2022 Asia Cup.

During a decisive match against Japan in that tournament, Pakistan believed they had scored a crucial equalizer. However, the goal was ruled out because Pakistan had an extra player on the field. The match ended in a 3–2 defeat, eliminating Pakistan from the Asia Cup and also ending their hopes of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup in India.

Pakistan’s run to the final in Egypt therefore offered Junaid a measure of redemption.

At the same time, former coach Tahir Zaman also deserves credit for helping improve the team’s performances over the past year. Under Zaman, Pakistan reached the final of the FIH Nations Cup, a result that helped secure the country’s place in the Pro League for the first time.

Tough tests await in Pro League

Pakistan will now look to use the remainder of their debut Pro League campaign as preparation for the World Cup.

So far, the team has struggled in the competition, losing all eight of their matches and currently sitting at the bottom of the table. If they remain there by the end of the season, Pakistan will be relegated to the Nations Cup.

The next phase of matches will take place in June in Europe. Pakistan will face Belgium and Spain in Wavre before travelling to London to take on India and England. These fixtures will provide valuable exposure against some of the strongest sides in world hockey.

The challenge is significant. Belgium are ranked second in the world, England fourth, Spain seventh and India eighth — all well ahead of Pakistan in the international rankings.

New leadership and familiar problems

Following the administrative crisis earlier this year, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani was appointed head of the federation’s ad-hoc committee.

Speaking to Nukta, Wani said the federation is working to ensure the national team receives the support it needs ahead of the World Cup.

“The PHF Adhoc Committee is working tirelessly to ensure the team's success, providing all necessary support and resources. The Pro League will serve as a crucial platform for Pakistan to fine-tune their skills before the World Cup,” Wani said.

The federation has also formed a Professional Development Committee co-chaired by Olympians Hassan Sardar and Islahuddin Siddiqui to oversee team selection, training systems and performance standards.

However, it goes without saying that Pakistan hockey continues to fall into the same pattern — replacing one former Olympian with another while expecting different results. The sport keeps recycling familiar names and ideas, often relying on past glory rather than modern expertise. Until that mindset changes and professional sports management is prioritized, meaningful progress will remain difficult.

Turning qualification into revival

Qualifying for the World Cup is an important step, but it cannot be the end of the conversation about Pakistan hockey’s future.

For the sport to truly recover, the focus must shift toward building a sustainable system around the players. That means ensuring daily allowances are paid on time so players can concentrate fully on their performances without financial uncertainty.

Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani also emphasized the importance of creating a proper structure for the team.

“I will establish a proper system for the daily allowances for the next two to three years. I had only one day before this team left for the FIH World Cup Qualifiers, but I have already prepared a full plan which will be shared with the players,” he said.

Improving medical support is another crucial step so injuries are treated promptly and players can recover properly. In that regard, the PHF has already signed a memorandum of understanding with Shifa International Hospital, under which the hospital will provide medical care and treatment for national team players.

Pakistan hockey must also embrace modern sports science, fitness specialists and performance analysis if it hopes to compete with the world’s leading teams.

Stronger partnerships with the private sector and regular television broadcasts of matches could also help revive public interest in the sport.

Qualification for the World Cup in Egypt has given Pakistan hockey a rare moment of optimism. The real challenge now is ensuring that this success becomes the starting point of a sustained revival rather than just another brief high in a long period of decline.