Pakistan has officially withdrawn from the upcoming FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Chennai and Madurai, India, from November 28 to December 28, 2025. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) confirmed that the decision was made due to prevailing political tensions and security concerns surrounding participation in India.
According to PHF officials, the federation had requested the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to allow Pakistan’s junior team to compete from a neutral venue instead, but that proposal was turned down. “We had asked for a neutral venue so our players could still participate, but unfortunately, that wasn’t accepted,” said PHF Secretary General Rana Mujahid. “It’s disappointing for our young players who were eager to perform on the world stage. Missing out on such opportunities only hurts our hockey.”
Pakistan was initially placed in Group B alongside India, Chile, and Switzerland. The withdrawal means that the long-anticipated clash between the traditional rivals won’t take place. The FIH has confirmed receiving Pakistan’s official notification and stated that it will soon announce a replacement team to fill the vacant slot in the tournament.
This is not the first time Pakistan has opted out of a major hockey event hosted by India. Earlier this year, the PHF also withdrew from the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir, citing similar reasons. The pattern reflects the ongoing strain in sports relations between the two countries, where almost all bilateral sporting exchanges have been frozen for years.
The move is seen as another setback for Pakistan’s hockey program, which has already been struggling to regain its lost glory. Experts believe that depriving young players of international exposure at events like the Junior World Cup could further slow the sport’s revival in the country. Meanwhile, for India and the FIH, the focus will now shift to reorganizing the tournament schedule and finding Pakistan’s replacement before the competition begins.
