Pakistan confirm return to FIH Hockey Pro League, to face India twice in upcoming season

Pakistan has confirmed its participation in the 2025-26 FIH Hockey Pro League season, setting up two matches against arch-rivals India. The International Hockey Federation announced Pakistan's acceptance of the invitation on Thursday, marking their return to elite competition after being promoted through the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Malaysia.Pakistan's entry comes after New Zealand, who won against Pakistan in the Nations Cup final, declined the invitation to join the Pro League. Following protocol, FIH extended the invitation to Pakistan as runners-up.Pakistan will join eight other teams in the league's seventh edition, including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands, and Spain. They will replace Ireland, who were relegated after finishing ninth in the previous season.The venue for the India-Pakistan matches remains to be determined. In the 2024-25 season, India played their eight home matches in Bhubaneswar, while their away matches were split between Amsterdam and Antwerp, with four matches each.FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: "Great to see Pakistan back in elite competition – this is a truly impactful milestone for world hockey. Their return marks not only the comeback of a team with such a rich and storied history, but also an exciting boost to the visibility and reach of the FIH Hockey Pro League.""I can already anticipate an enhanced visibility of the Pro League with Pakistan's participation," Ikram added.Pakistan earned their spot through their performance in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Malaysia earlier this year. New Zealand, despite winning that event against Pakistan in the final, later indicated they would not proceed with the Pro League invitation.