Bangladesh to replace Pakistan in Asian Hockey Champions Trophy

Bangladesh to replace Pakistan in Asian Hockey Champions Trophy

Bangladesh will replace Pakistan in the Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2026 after accepting an invitation from the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), following Pakistan’s withdrawal from the tournament over concerns about playing in India.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 27 to November 5, with matches to be held in Jalandhar and Mohali.

Pakistan withdrew after the AHF and Hockey India rejected its request to move the entire tournament to a neutral venue or arrange Pakistan’s matches at a neutral location, citing the sensitive bilateral situation and concerns about the safety and dignity of players and officials.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) subsequently informed the AHF that the national team would not travel to India under the existing arrangements.

Bangladesh, one of the two reserve teams alongside Oman, was invited to fill Pakistan’s vacant spot and accepted the offer.

The revised six-team line-up comprises India, Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea and Bangladesh.

All league-stage matches will be played at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2. The semi-finals will take place in Mohali on November 4, while the final is scheduled for November 5 at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium.

Defending champions India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on October 27. The scheduled match between India and Pakistan on November 1 has been scrapped following Pakistan’s withdrawal.

India won the previous editions of the tournament in Chennai in 2023 and Hulunbuir, China, in 2024.

Pakistan and India last faced each other in the semi-finals of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where India secured a 4-3 victory before retaining the gold medal.

Pakistan also withdrew from the Junior World Cup held in India last year, citing similar concerns.

Despite Pakistan’s withdrawal, organisers have confirmed that the tournament will proceed as scheduled. The event will mark the return of a major international hockey tournament to Punjab after nearly two decades.