Pakistan have pulled out of the 2026 Asian Hockey Champions Trophy after their request to play at a neutral venue was rejected. Bangladesh have been named as their replacement for the six-team tournament, which is scheduled to take place in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had approached the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), asking it to shift Pakistan’s matches away from India due to concerns over the team’s participation amid strained bilateral relations.
However, India did not agree to the request and decided to stick to the original schedule. The PHF, meanwhile, maintained that the safety and dignity of its players remained its priority.
With Pakistan out of the competition, Bangladesh will join hosts India, Malaysia, China, Japan and South Korea in the tournament.
Why Pakistan Pulled Out Of Asian Hockey Champions Trophy
Pakistan’s participation in the tournament had been uncertain for some time, with reports suggesting that the team needed approval from its government before travelling to India.
The PHF had also made it clear that Pakistan were ready to play against any team affiliated with the International Hockey Federation (FIH), including India, provided the matches were held at a neutral venue.
The federation approached the AHF with a request to move Pakistan’s matches out of India. However, the request was not accepted, and the tournament will go ahead as planned.
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Pakistan’s withdrawal is the latest instance of the country missing a hockey competition hosted by India. Pakistan had also skipped the Asia Cup, while its junior team withdrew from the 2025 Junior World Cup, with both tournaments held in India.
Jalandhar And Mohali To Host Asian Champions Trophy
The tournament will be played across two venues in Punjab, with Jalandhar hosting the league-stage matches and Mohali staging the knockout rounds.
All league matches will take place at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar. The Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali will host the semi-finals and final.
The competition is scheduled to run from October 27 to November 5, with six teams competing for the continental title following Bangladesh’s inclusion in place of Pakistan.
India Look To Add Another Asian Champions Trophy Title
India will enter the tournament as one of the favourites, having enjoyed considerable success in the Asian Champions Trophy since its introduction in 2011.
The Indian men’s hockey team has won the title four times, making it the most successful side in the competition’s history. India also shared the trophy with Pakistan in 2018 after rain forced the final in Muscat, Oman, to be abandoned.
With home advantage and a strong record in the tournament, India will look to add another title to their collection when the competition gets underway in Punjab later this month.
Asian Hockey Champions Trophy schedule
Date | Time | Match No. | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tuesday, 27 October 2026 | 13:00 | M01 | Malaysia vs China | Jalandhar |
Tuesday, 27 October 2026 | 15:15 | M02 | Japan vs Korea | Jalandhar |
Tuesday, 27 October 2026 | 17:30–18:30 | — | Opening Ceremony | Jalandhar |
Tuesday, 27 October 2026 | 19:00 | M03 | India vs Bangladesh | Jalandhar |
Wednesday, 28 October 2026 | — | — | Rest Day | — |
Thursday, 29 October 2026 | 14:30 | M04 | Malaysia vs Korea | Jalandhar |
Thursday, 29 October 2026 | 16:45 | M05 | Bangladesh vs Japan | Jalandhar |
Thursday, 29 October 2026 | 19:00 | M06 | India vs China | Jalandhar |
Friday, 30 October 2026 | 14:30 | M07 | Bangladesh vs Malaysia | Jalandhar |
Friday, 30 October 2026 | 16:45 | M08 | Korea vs China | Jalandhar |
Friday, 30 October 2026 | 19:00 | M09 | Japan vs India | Jalandhar |
Saturday, 31 October 2026 | — | — | Rest Day | — |
Sunday, 1 November 2026 | 14:30 | M10 | Korea vs Bangladesh | Jalandhar |
Sunday, 1 November 2026 | 16:45 | M11 | China vs Japan | Jalandhar |
Sunday, 1 November 2026 | 19:00 | M12 | Malaysia vs India | Jalandhar |
Monday, 2 November 2026 | 14:30 | M13 | China vs Bangladesh | Jalandhar |
Monday, 2 November 2026 | 16:45 | M14 | Japan vs Malaysia | Jalandhar |
Monday, 2 November 2026 | 19:00 | M15 | India vs Korea | Jalandhar |
Tuesday, 3 November 2026 | — | — | Rest Day | — |
Wednesday, 4 November 2026 | 14:00 | M16 | 5th in Pool vs 6th in Pool | Mohali |
Wednesday, 4 November 2026 | 16:30 | M17 | 1st in Pool vs 4th in Pool | Mohali |
Wednesday, 4 November 2026 | 19:00 | M18 | 2nd in Pool vs 3rd in Pool | Mohali |
Thursday, 5 November 2026 | 16:30 | — | Bronze Medal Match: Loser M17 vs Loser M18 | Mohali |
Thursday, 5 November 2026 | 19:00 | — | Gold Medal Match: Winner M17 vs Winner M18 | Mohali |