After New Zealand pulled out of the FIH Pro League, Pakistan being runners-up at Nations Cup, was promoted to elite men’s hockey league as per regulations

Pakistan’s flagging fortunes in men’s hockey took a dramatic turn as the team was promoted to the elite FIH Pro League for the 2025-26 season following New Zealand’s withdrawal. The move sets the stage for a possible revival of the once-thrilling India-Pakistan hockey rivalry.

Pakistan had earned qualification through the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Malaysia earlier this year, where it finished runners-up to New Zealand. The world body confirmed on August 28 that, after New Zealand declined the Pro League invitation, the runners-up Pakistan accepted the offer to participate for the very first time.

“The New Zealand team won the event against Pakistan in the final, but Hockey New Zealand later indicated that the Black Sticks would not proceed with the invitation to join the Pro League this time. Therefore, as stipulated in the regulations, FIH extended the invitation to the runners-up, namely Pakistan, who have confirmed their participation,” FIH said in a media release.

The venues for the 2025-26 edition are yet to be decided, and it remains to be seen whether the Indian team will travel to Pakistan or vice versa. Pakistan had recently withdrawn from the ongoing Asia Cup in Bihar, a qualifying event for the 2026 World Cup. India and Pakistan, however, have a storied history in hockey. Their contests, once regarded as the pinnacle of the sport, combined artistry, passion and fierce rivalry. The two nations dominated hockey when it was played on natural grass, with India winning eight Olympic gold medals and Pakistan three. While India has revived its hockey fortunes with back-to-back Olympic bronze medals in Tokyo and Paris, Pakistan has slipped so much that it missed qualification for the last three Olympic Games.

For Pakistan, the Pro League will provide a vital opportunity to test itself against top-tier teams — Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands, and Spain.

“Great to see Pakistan back in elite competition – this is a truly impactful milestone for world hockey. Their return marks not only the comeback of a team with such a rich and storied history, but also an exciting boost to the visibility and reach of the FIH Hockey Pro League,” FIH president Tayyab Ikram said.

“I can already anticipate an enhanced visibility of the Pro League with Pakistan’s participation.”

Further details regarding competition venues and scheduling will be announced later. The 2024-25 edition had crowned both Dutch teams, men’s and women’s, as champions. The 2025-26 season will be the seventh edition of the “League of the Best.”

ENDS