New hockey World Cup format presents an arduous path
The upcoming FIH men’s and women’s hockey World Cups will feature a new format that eliminates the quarterfinal stage in favor of a second group stage. Coaches have expressed mixed reactions, noting that the change places significantly higher pressure on initial pool matches.
Why it matters
The format change fundamentally alters tournament strategy and the path to the championship, impacting how teams prepare for international competition.
The new format of the upcoming FIH men’s and women’s World Cups in the Netherlands and Belgium presents teams with a challenging path to the final.
While the 16 teams will be divided into four groups of four, there will be no quarterfinal stage, which had a shortlived existence in the 2018 and 2022/2023 editions.
The Indian men have been placed in Pool D alongside England, Pakistan and Wales while the women’s team will battle it out against China, England and South Africa in Pool D.
The top two sides from each pool will progress to the second stage, which will be split into two groups of four. The top two there will qualify for the semifinals.
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