RAJGIR: Bangladesh and Kazakhstan have stepped in to replace Pakistan and Oman, respectively, for the men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament, scheduled in Rajgir from August 29 to September 7, according to the official schedule released Tuesday.
Hosts India have been drawn in Pool A alongside China, Japan, and Kazakhstan, while Pool B features defending champions Korea, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, and Bangladesh. The winner of this eight-team tournament will secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The tournament kicks off on August 29 with Malaysia facing Bangladesh, followed by Korea beginning their title defense against Chinese Taipei. India will play China in the final match of the opening day, delighting the home crowd.
The pool stage will be followed by the Super 4s from September 3 to 6, with the match sequence to be finalized after the pool stage concludes. The final is scheduled for September 7, featuring the top two teams from the Super 4s. Additionally, the third-place match and 5th/6th classification games will take place on the same day.
The Indian government had offered visas for Pakistani players, but the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) opted out of the tournament citing security concerns. Tournament organizers had approached Bangladesh to fill Pakistan’s spot. Pakistan’s participation had been uncertain following tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack, which led India to launch Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan.
Korea holds the record for the most Asia Cup titles, having won five times, while India and Pakistan have each been champions three times. India last lifted the trophy in 2017, defeating Malaysia 2-1 in Dhaka. In the previous edition in Jakarta, India finished third after beating Japan 1-0 in the third-place match.
Asian Hockey Federation President Fumio Ogura said: “The Hero Asia Cup Rajgir Bihar 2025 will bring together the very best of Asian hockey. With World Cup qualification on the line, every match will carry enormous importance. We are confident this edition will showcase thrilling competition, inspire millions of fans, and leave a lasting legacy for the sport in Asia.”
