The inaugural match of the men’s Hockey World Cup will be played on January 13 at the brand-new Birsa Munda International Stadium in Rourkela between India and lower-ranked Spain. India, who won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics and is presently ranked No. 5 in the world by the FIH, is grouped in pool D with England, Spain, and Wales (16), who are making their World Cup debuts.
Prior to travelling to Bhubaneswar, where they will play Wales in their final group match on January 19, India will play their second game, against England, in Rourkela on January 15.
Australia, ranked first in the world and winner of the bronze medal in the most recent World Cup, leads Pool A.
Australia, which is ranked first in the world and won the bronze medal at the most recent World Cup in 2018, leads Pool A. They were drawn among the 2016 Olympic champions South Africa, France, and Argentina.
The current world champions The top seed, Belgium, was placed in Pool B together with the 2006 champions, Germany, Korea, and Japan. Germany is placed fourth, whereas Belgium is ranked second.
The Netherlands, the third-ranked team in the world, will compete in Pool C together with Chile, New Zealand, Malaysia, and representatives of Oceania and Malaysia’s eighth World Cup.
Australia will play France at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, according to the FIH’s Tuesday publication of the schedule. The tournament will begin in Rourkela with England playing Wales before India’s game at 7 p.m. IST. In Bhubaneswar, South Korea will compete against reigning champions and global No. 2 Belgium, who won the championship in Odisha in 2018.
