Pakistan has decided it won’t be sending its hockey teams to India for the upcoming events. According to officials, the safety of the players just can’t be guaranteed right now — not after everything that’s happened recently. With things still on edge, Pakistan believes sending players across the border just isn’t safe right now. This decision could end up hurting their chances of qualifying for the 2026 Hockey World Cup.
Pakistan’s sports ministry has refused to give clearance for the men’s team to travel to India for the Men’s Asia Cup which is scheduled for August and September.
A source from the sports ministry who requested anonymity said, “Given the recent war, the safety of our hockey players cannot be guaranteed.”
Pakistan will not travel to India for upcoming hockey tournaments over "security" concerns, government sources told AFP on Saturday, potentially jeopardising their place in next year's World Cup.#AFPSports
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) July 12, 2025
Full story: https://t.co/pnkPUuO8tR pic.twitter.com/Bmxf700SDZ
As a result, Pakistan has also decided not to take part in the Junior World Cup, also to be held in India in November.
This is a major setback for Pakistan’s once-glorious hockey history. The country has previously won three Olympic gold medals and four world titles, but now ranks 15th in the world. By skipping the Asia Cup, Pakistan might be shutting the door on its shot at next year’s World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium. A second government source backed the decision when speaking to AFP, although the foreign office hasn’t publicly said anything yet.
Ever since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, India has kept its distance from Pakistan in the world of sports, especially cricket. Blaming cross-border groups for the violence, India cut off direct sporting ties. As a result, the two countries have only faced off during international events — and only when hosted on neutral ground.
Earlier this year, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, and the final was moved to Dubai. Now, Pakistan has responded similarly, deciding not to send its women’s cricket team to India for the Women’s World Cup later this year and the T20 World Cup in 2026. They will play their matches in Sri Lanka instead.
Also read this: Pakistan Announces T20I Squad for Bangladesh Series
