India gets new opponent after Pakistan withdraws from Asian Hockey Champions Trophy

Dubai: India will face a new opponent at the 2026 Asian Hockey Champions Trophy after Pakistan refused to travel to India for the six-team tournament, with Bangladesh set to replace them.

The competition will be held from October 27 to November 5 in Jalandhar and Mohali. Bangladesh accepted an invitation from the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to take Pakistan’s place after the latter declined to participate in the tournament in India, according to media reports.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had reportedly requested a neutral venue for its matches. However, Hockey India and the AHF did not agree to the proposed change, leaving Pakistan to withdraw from the competition according to Geo Super.

Jalandhar’s Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium will host the opening ceremony, and all league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2. The tournament will then move to Mohali, where the semi-finals will be played on November 4, followed by the final on November 5.

India will now Bangladesh on October 27 following the opening ceremony.

The Men in Blue will enter the tournament as defending champions after beating China 1-0 in the 2024 final. The victory secured a record-extending fifth title for the Indian men’s team, which has also won the competition in 2011, 2016, 2018 and 2023.

Pakistan have won the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy three times, including a shared title with India in 2018 when the final was abandoned because of rain. Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be looking to make an impact in the competition, having yet to win the trophy.

The tournament will provide India with an opportunity to defend their crown on home soil, as their toughest opponent are longer in the event.