Get ready, hockey fans! There’s exciting news stirring in the world of international hockey. The Pakistan men’s hockey team is officially joining the seventh season of the prestigious FIH Pro League. This isn’t just any addition; it brings with it the electrifying possibility of face-offs with arch-rivals India, though these will happen at neutral venues.
The upcoming season of the FIH Pro League is shaping up to be truly global. Pakistan will be competing against some of the sport’s powerhouse nations. The roster includes Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands, and Spain. That’s a lineup promising some incredible hockey action, and the detailed schedule is something we are all eagerly awaiting.
So, how did Pakistan secure their spot in this elite competition? They earned their promotion through the FIH Hockey Nations Cup earlier this year, a fiercely contested tournament held in Malaysia. New Zealand ultimately claimed victory in that event, defeating Pakistan in the final. However, in a twist of events, New Zealand later indicated they would not be taking up the invitation to join the Pro League at this time.
According to the regulations, when the winner declines, the invitation is extended to the runners-up. And that’s exactly what happened! The FIH extended the invitation to Pakistan, and they wasted no time in confirming their participation, much to the delight of hockey enthusiasts worldwide. It’s a testament to their performance and dedication.
Now, let’s talk about the unique dynamic concerning India and Pakistan. The Indian government recently introduced a dedicated sports policy regarding Pakistan. Due to prevailing border tensions, specifically reignited by the Pahalgam terror attack in April, India has banned bilateral engagements with its neighbor. This means no Pakistani team can travel to India for bilateral sports, and similarly, no Indian team will travel to Pakistan.
However, a crucial distinction has been made. Multilateral engagements are exempt from this policy. The Indian government has chosen to uphold the Olympic Charter’s principle of inclusivity in these instances. This is why we can expect to see India and Pakistan potentially clash in the FIH Pro League.
A source from Hockey India clarified the situation to PTI: “As per government directive, there will be no bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan but we will have to play them in international tournaments. Now that Pakistan is included in 2025-26 Pro League, we will play them at a neutral venue, which is yet to be decided. Pakistan can’t travel to India.”
Interestingly, the Pakistani team recently opted out of traveling to India for the Asia Cup, which commenced in Rajgir, Bihar. They cited security concerns, even though the Indian government had made the decision to issue visas to their players for that continental showpiece event, which also served as a World Cup qualifier. This highlights the complex political landscape that sometimes intertwines with sports.
In the previous season of the Pro League, India hosted its home matches in Bhubaneswar and then traveled to Europe for away games. It will be fascinating to see how the games involving Pakistan are planned once FIH announces the full schedule. The logistics for such a tournament, especially with these considerations, are always intricate.
“Just like last season when the Pro League was in two halves, one India leg and a European leg, this year it will be the same,” the HI source elaborated. “In the India leg last year, all participating European teams didn’t come. Some played in Europe and we also went there. This year also it will be the same. But the venues are yet to be decided.” This gives us a glimpse into the likely structure and how matches will be distributed.
FIH President Tayyab Ikram expressed his immense pleasure at Pakistan’s inclusion, marking their first-ever participation in the event roster. “Great to see Pakistan back in elite competition, this is a truly impactful milestone for world hockey,” Ikram stated. “Their return marks not only the comeback of a team with such a rich and storied history but also an exciting boost to the visibility and reach of the FIH Hockey Pro League.”
He further added, “I can already anticipate an enhanced visibility of the Pro League with Pakistan’s participation. Congratulations to the Pakistan men’s team for qualifying through the FIH Hockey Nations Cup and earning their place in the ‘League of the Best’ for the very first time. This achievement is a strong example of how creating more opportunities at every level of our sport fosters growth and provides a natural pathway to the very top.” This sentiment perfectly captures the excitement surrounding Pakistan’s return to the big stage of hockey.