India and Pakistan to Face Off in Junior Men's Hockey World Cup Pool B

India will host the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup from November 28 to December 10 in Chennai and Madurai. The host nation has been placed in Pool B alongside Pakistan, Chile, and Switzerland. The draw ceremony took place at the FIH headquarters, marking the first time the tournament will feature 24 teams. Germany, South Africa, Canada, and Ireland form Pool A, while Pool C comprises Argentina, New Zealand, Japan, and China. Pool D includes Spain, Belgium, Egypt, and Namibia. Pool E consists of Netherlands, Malaysia, England, and Austria. Pool F features France, Australia, Korea, and Bangladesh. The draw ceremony was attended by FIH president Tayyab Ikram, Hockey India (HI) secretary general Bhola Nath Singh, and Hockey India Director General RK Srivastava.

\"It is a great pleasure for me to be here ahead of a milestone moment as we start the journey towards the first ever 24-team FIH Junior Hockey World Cup! It is a part of the FIH strategy to empower and engage the youth from all nations, including the emerging nations, and this event will be the first step towards doing that,\" FIH chief Ikram said in a statement.

\"This World Cup also brings with it the opportunity to enhance our hockey infrastructure, and in the city of Madurai, introduce a new state-of-art hockey stadium,\" added Bhola Nath.

Germany currently hold the junior Men's World Championship title. They defeated France 2-1 in the 2023 final to secure their seventh title.

According to the source: Times of India.