Pakistan End 8-Year World Cup Drought, Qualify for Hockey World Cup 2026 in Dramatic Fashion
CAIRO / ISLAMABAD, March 6, 2026 — In a moment of national triumph, Pakistan’s hockey team qualified for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup after defeating Japan in a thrilling semifinal at the Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Egypt — ending an eight-year absence from the sport’s biggest stage.The match was a nervy, edge-of-the-seat contest…
CAIRO / ISLAMABAD, March 6, 2026 — In a moment of national triumph, Pakistan’s hockey team qualified for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup after defeating Japan in a thrilling semifinal at the Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Egypt — ending an eight-year absence from the sport’s biggest stage.
The match was a nervy, edge-of-the-seat contest right until the final whistle. With just four minutes remaining, Japan were awarded a crucial penalty stroke that could have tilted the match in their favour. But Pakistan goalkeeper Ali Raza rose to the occasion with a stunning save to deny Japan, sparking wild celebrations among the Pakistani camp.
Sufyan Khan, Abu Muhammad, Muhammad Emad, and Afraz were the goal scorers for the Green Shirts, who held their nerve throughout an intense encounter.
The qualification carries historic weight. Pakistan — a nation with four World Cup titles and one of the most celebrated legacies in the sport — had failed to qualify for the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup held in India, marking one of the lowest points in the country’s hockey history. Their last World Cup appearance was in 2018, making today’s achievement all the more momentous.
The 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup is scheduled to begin on August 14 and will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
The victory has been met with an outpouring of joy across Pakistan, with fans, officials, and former players celebrating the return of the national team to hockey’s grandest stage.
