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Pakistan beat Japan 4–3 in Egypt qualifiers semi-final, securing a place in the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup after an eight-year absence.
BeNewz Report
Pakistan’s men’s hockey team qualified for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 after defeating Japan 4–3 in a dramatic semi-final of the qualifying tournament in Ismailia, Egypt on Friday. The victory secured Pakistan a place in the global event and ended an eight-year wait for World Cup qualification.
The national side produced a remarkable comeback after trailing 3–1 during the match. Pakistan scored three goals in the final quarter to overturn the deficit and seal a thrilling victory against Japan in the high-stakes qualifier.
Goalkeeper Ali Raza played a decisive role in the final minutes of the match. Japan were awarded a penalty stroke with about four minutes remaining. Raza successfully blocked the attempt, preserving Pakistan’s narrow lead and confirming the team’s qualification for the World Cup.
Pakistan’s goals came from Muhammad Imad, Abu Muhammad, Sufyan Khan and Afraz, each contributing one goal during the contest. The team’s late surge in the fourth quarter proved decisive as they turned the game around after Japan had taken a commanding lead earlier.
The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 is scheduled to begin on August 14 and will be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. The tournament is considered the premier international event in field hockey and features the world’s top national teams.
Pakistan’s qualification marks an important milestone for the country’s hockey revival. The former giants of world hockey had failed to qualify for the previous World Cup and last appeared in the tournament in 2018.
Historically, Pakistan has been one of the most successful teams in international hockey. The national side has won the Hockey World Cup four times — in 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994 — the highest number of titles by any country in the tournament’s history. However, in recent years Pakistan’s hockey program has struggled due to administrative challenges, funding shortages and declining international rankings.
The team entered the World Cup qualifying tournament in Egypt with renewed momentum. Pakistan topped Pool B in the eight-team event after defeating China, Malaysia and Austria in the group stage, maintaining an unbeaten record before the semi-final clash with Japan.
In the opening match of the qualifiers, Pakistan narrowly defeated China 5–4. The team followed it with a 5–3 victory over Malaysia and then secured a 4–2 win against Austria to finish the group stage at the top of their pool.
The strong performance in Egypt has raised hopes of a broader revival of the national sport. Hockey remains Pakistan’s national game and historically produced numerous Olympic and World Cup triumphs, including three Olympic gold medals and multiple Champions Trophy titles.
Officials and sports observers say the recent success reflects renewed focus on rebuilding the national team and improving domestic development programs. Pakistan Hockey Federation officials have also emphasized youth development and international exposure to restore competitiveness at the global level.
Following the semi-final victory, congratulations poured in from across the country. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi praised the team’s performance and said the players had demonstrated outstanding teamwork and determination to secure World Cup qualification after eight years.
Naqvi said the result shows that Pakistan still possesses strong hockey talent and that continued support for players can help restore the country’s historic position in world hockey. He also commended captain Ammad Shakeel Butt and the entire squad for their disciplined performance in the tournament.
Pakistan will now play the final of the qualifying tournament against England, while also preparing for the main event later this year.
Sports analysts say qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 could become a turning point for Pakistan hockey if consistent investment and administrative stability continue in the coming years.
