India and Pakistan could face each other in the next season of the hockey Pro League after the International Hockey Federation (FIH) said on Monday that the Green Shirts could be offered a spot in case New Zealand do not participate.
New Zealand are eligible to play in the top-tier of world hockey for the 2025-26 season after they won the FIH Nations Cup in Malaysia, beating Pakistan 6-2 in the final.
However, they haven’t yet confirmed their participation in the competition so far. The FIH said in a release on Monday that they have ‘extended an invitation to Hockey New Zealand for their men’s team to join Pro League again next season’.
The world body added: “Since New Zealand’s hockey governing body is currently undertaking a thorough analysis and decision-making process in this regard, FIH has approved their request for an extension of the deadline to confirm or decline their participation until 21 July.”
If New Zealand decide not the participate, the FIH said ‘the runners-up of the Men’s Nations Cup, namely Pakistan, would have the opportunity to consider joining the 2025-26 FIH Hockey Pro League season.’
A similar scenario has already transpired in the women’s tournament where New Zealand did not accept the invitation to join the Pro League despite winning the Nations Cup, the FIH said. Their spot was handed over to Ireland, the second-placed team.
“Ireland was promoted through the FIH Hockey Nations Cup played in Chile earlier this year. Whilst New Zealand won that event against Ireland in the final, Hockey New Zealand later indicated that the Black Sticks would not proceed with the invitation to join Pro League this time. Therefore, as stipulated in the regulations, FIH extended the invitation to the runners-up, namely Ireland, who have confirmed their participation,” the FIH said.
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Pakistan’s return to the Pro League would mean two more matches between the neighbours in the lead up to the Asian Games and the World Cup, if the two teams qualify.
India and Pakistan are scheduled to take on each other in August-September at the Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, and then later in the year at the Junior World Cup.
