Pakistan asks to move field hockey tournament from India or hold matches at neutral venue
The Pakistan Hockey Federation has asked the Asian Hockey Federation to move the 2026 men's Asian Champions Trophy from India or hold all matches involving the Pakistani national team at a neutral venue. The federation cited the “sensitive bilateral situation” between Pakistan and India as the reason.
As Dawn reports, Pakistan Hockey Federation President Mohiuddin Ahmed Wani confirmed that the organization had officially appealed to the Asian Hockey Federation. According to the publication's sources in the PHF, the decision to request a neutral venue was made on the instructions of the federal government.
Pakistan's participation conditions
Wani said the request was intended to ensure a “safe, dignified and conducive environment” for Pakistani players and officials. At the same time, he stressed that Pakistan does not intend to withdraw from the competition and is ready to play against all FIH member countries, including the Indian national team.
The PHF president expressed hope that the Asian Hockey Federation would consider the proposal positively so that Pakistan could fully participate in the tournament. The PHF request means that without approval of the proposed changes, Pakistan will not play at the planned venues in Jalandhar and Mohali.
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Tournament schedule
The Asian Champions Trophy is to be held in India from October 27 to November 5, 2026. Six teams are scheduled to take part in the competition: India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.
The opening ceremony and group-stage matches from October 27 to November 2 are to be held in Jalandhar. The semifinals and final are scheduled in Mohali for November 4 and 5. Pakistan's match against India, according to the schedule, is to take place on November 1 in Jalandhar.
Earlier, Bhagwant Mann, the chief minister of the Indian state of Punjab, said that Pakistan would participate in the tournament. After that, the PHF clarified that a decision on the team's trip to India had not yet been made. Last year, Pakistan also did not take part in the junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu amid tensions in relations between the two countries.
