India will host the 2025 FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, as announced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Tuesday. This prestigious tournament, scheduled for December 2025, marks a historic moment as it will feature an expanded roster of 24 teams for the first time.
This will be the fourth time India hosts the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup since 2013, highlighting the country’s significant role in the global hockey landscape. The decision to expand the number of participating teams from the traditional 16 to 24 aligns with the FIH’s broader strategy to foster diversity and engagement in the sport.
FIH President Tayyab Ikram highlighted the strategic importance of this expansion. “Giving more opportunities to play to a larger and more diverse number of National Associations is one of the key pillars of our Empowerment and Engagement strategy,” Tayyab said.
“We saw at the FIH Hockey5s World Cup in Oman this year how more diversity brings a huge added value to our events. Therefore, I’m very happy that we’ve increased the number of participating teams for the FIH Hockey Junior World Cups and I look forward to seeing these 24 young teams, representing the future of our sport, next year!,” he added.
Dr. Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India, expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for hosting the event. “We’re delighted that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) chose India to host the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the FIH and FIH President Dato Tayyab Ikram for entrusting us with this tournament,” Tirkey said.
“This prestigious tournament highlights India’s growing importance in international hockey and shows our dedication to developing the sport for future generations. We’re excited to share India’s rich hockey history and provide a stage for young talent to showcase their skills,” he added.
The previous edition of the tournament, held in Malaysia, saw Germany clinch the title by defeating France 2-1 in a closely contested final. As India prepares to host the event in 2025, the expanded format promises to bring more competitive matches and opportunities for young athletes from around the world to shine on an international stage.
Hosting the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup is a significant boost for Indian hockey, showing the country’s commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting the sport. This event is expected to enhance India’s reputation as a key player in the international hockey arena and inspire the next generation of hockey players.
With the tournament still over a year away, preparations are expected to ramp up, ensuring that India delivers a world-class event that celebrates the sport and its future stars. The expanded format will not only provide more teams the chance to compete but also increase the global reach and impact of the tournament.
