- There will be 16 teams participating in the world Cup that will be held in Bhubaneshwar and Rourkela of Odisha in India from January 13 to January 29 next year.
- The teams are divided into four pools- A, B, C, D, and in each pool, there will be 4 teams. India is placed in Pool D.
International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Thursday organized the Draw Ceremony for ‘FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023’ at the Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneshwar (Odisha, India).
In the Ceremony, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, acting president of FIH Seif Ahmed and officials from Hockey India were present. There were many other sport officials and government authorities during the event.
According to the detailed program, there will be 16 teams in the world Cup which will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar and at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela, two cities of Odisha in India from January 13 and will continue till January 29 next year.
The teams are divided into four pools- A, B, C, and D, in each pool, there will be four teams. India is placed in Pool D along with England, Spain, and Wales.
While defending champions Belgium are in Pool B with two-time champions Germany. World No. Australia clubbed with Argentina in Pool A. In pool C, the Netherlands is leading on top
The top row team of each pool decided beforehand based on their world rankings status. India being the host, got an edge over the world’s fourth-placed Germany and emerged on the top row of Pool D. Australia, Belgium, and the Netherlands are the top three teams that will start at the top of their corresponding pools.
India is currently placed on fifth position in the FIH Men’s Hockey ranking with 2394.49 points. Australia is on top in the ranking with 2951.92 points while Belgium is on second position with 2842.77 points, Netherlands is on third position with 2746.53 points and Germany is 1 rank up from India with 2440.06 points.
The FIH officials wrote on Twitter,
Here are the pools for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar-Rourkela 2023! #HWC2023 which clashes are you looking forward to in the group stages? The tournament starts on 13 Jan 2023.”
The FIH
“Full schedule will be revealed soon,” FIH Officials added.
Here are the Pool details containing all teams:
| Pool A | Pool B |
| Australia | Belgium |
| Argentina | Germany |
| France | Korea |
| South Africa | Japan |
| Pool C | Pool D |
| Netherlands | India |
| New Zealand | England |
| Malaysia | Spain |
| Chile | Wales |
Though India’s team is very strong and is placed in the fifth position in World Ranking, but it will be not easy for the host to take their place in the quarter-final of the FIH Men’s World Cup 2023. At present, all players of the India team are performing well in the domestic level tournament, so they are expected to do better in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela in Odisha.
Here are some pictures of the Draw Ceremony on Twitter shared by Hockey India
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