Pakistan qualify for Hockey World Cup 2026 after edging Japan in qualifiers

Pakistan qualified for the Hockey World Cup 2026 after defeating Japan in the semi-final of the World Cup qualifying tournament on Friday.

The Men in Green continued their unbeaten run in the tournament, securing a 4-3 victory over Japan in Egypt to confirm their place in the global event and end an eight-year wait for World Cup qualification.

For Pakistan, Imad Muhammad, Abubakar Mahmood, Sufyan Khan and Afraz each scored a goal.

Goalkeeper Ali Raza played a decisive role in the victory by stopping a penalty stroke late in the match. Japan were awarded the penalty stroke four minutes before the end of the game, but Raza blocked it to help Pakistan secure the win and advance to the final while also confirming their place in the World Cup.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also congratulated the team.

"The players performed brilliantly in the tournament and qualified for the world cup after eight years. This success is the result of teamwork and hard work of the players. This win proves that Pakistan has hockey talent. 

"The excellent performance of all the players, including captain Imad Shakeel Butt, is commendable. Hopefully the national team will return by winning the final," he said in a statement.

The tournament is scheduled to begin on August 14 this year in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Pakistan had failed to qualify for the previous edition of the World Cup and had last secured a spot in the tournament in 2018.