India, Pak hockey teams to face off next year in England

The Indian men’s hockey team will play against Pakistan in the FIH Pro League at a neutral venue next year. As per the schedule for the 2025-26 season announced by FIH on Monday, India and Pakistan will face off in two games in England between June 23 and 28.

The league’s seventh season will begin on December 9 in Argentina and Ireland, but India’s campaign will start only in February. They will host Belgium and Argentina from February 10 to 15. India will then travel to Australia for games against the hosts and Spain from February 20 to 25.

After a three-month gap, India will finish off their Pro League campaign in Europe. They will be in Netherlands for games against the Olympics champion host team and world champions Germany from June 13 to 21, and their final pit stop will be in England, where they will face the hosts and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan last faced each other at the Asian Champions Trophy in September last year. They were scheduled to meet at the recent Asia Cup hosted by India, but Pakistan pulled out citing “security concerns”.

India had finished second-last in the previous Pro League edition. They would want an improved performance next year as the winners of both the men’s and women’s leagues will directly qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Pakistan will make their debut in the top-tier tournament after being promoted from the second-tier Nations Cup. They had finished runners-up behind New Zealand in the Nations Cup, but as the Black Sticks refused to join the Pro League, Pakistan got the invite from FIH. But Pakistan’s participation was not a given as they accepted the offer only after receiving guarantees for financial support from the government.