Hockey India dispels reports, confirms Pakistan’s participation in Junior World Cup
Pakistan is set to participate in the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup 2025 in India, confirmed Hockey India’s secretary general Bholanath Singh.
This news goes against earlier reports that suggested Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Tariq Hussain Bugti had announced the team would not be playing.
Speaking to Sportstar at the Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir, Singh clarified the situation on Thursday. “I can once again confirm that Pakistan will play in the Junior World Cup in India,” he said. “I spoke to PHF officials, and they said that the media had twisted the statement.”
On Wednesday, reports from Pakistan had indicated that the PHF chief had ruled out the nation’s participation in the upcoming Under-21 tournament.
This followed Pakistan’s previous withdrawal from the continental Asia Cup, which led to Bangladesh being invited as a replacement by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
The 14th edition of the biennial men’s Junior World Cup is scheduled to be held from November 28 to December 10, 2025. The tournament will feature a record 24 nations competing in two cities — Chennai and Madurai.
Published on Sep 04, 2025