Pakistan title 20-man squad for FIH Males's Hockey World Cup 2026

PHF expresses confidence in group regardless of winless Professional League marketing campaign forward of event in Netherlands and Belgium

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Tuesday introduced a 20-member squad for the FIH Males’s Hockey World Cup 2026, with the nationwide facet set to compete within the event to be held within the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30.

The squad combines skilled internationals with plenty of rising gamers as Pakistan prepares for its return to hockey’s premier international occasion.

The chosen gamers are Waqar, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Moin Shakeel, Abdul Waheed Ashraf Rana, Abdul Hannan Shahid, Zakaria Hayat, Arshad Liaquat, Adil Latif, Ahmed Nadeem, Ghazanfar Ali, Imad Shakeel Butt, Muhammad Hamaduddin Anjum, Rehman Abdul, Afraz, Umar Mustafa, Abu Bakar Mahmood, Ali Raza, Abdul Muttan and Muhammad Imad.

Waqar and Ali Raza have been named because the group’s goalkeepers.

The group administration might be led by supervisor Muhammad Owais Qarni, whereas Dutch coach Bob Johan Velthof will function head coach. Christopher John Bowen of Nice Britain and Adnan Zakir have been appointed assistant coaches, with Ashraf Sultan taking cost as video technician.

PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, who can also be the secretary of the IPC Ministry, expressed confidence within the chosen squad and assist employees, urging supporters to rally behind the nationwide group because it seeks to make a robust impression on the World Cup.

Pakistan secured qualification for the World Cup after returning to the elite stage of worldwide competitors, however the group heads into the event below strain following a troublesome run of leads to current months.

The Inexperienced Shirts endured a disappointing FIH Professional League marketing campaign, dropping all 16 of their matches in opposition to the world’s main groups and completed on the all-time low. The winless efficiency has raised issues over Pakistan’s competitiveness forward of the World Cup and intensified scrutiny of the administration and governance of hockey within the nation.

With the World Cup that includes the game’s top-ranked nations, Pakistan face a frightening problem to progress deep into the event. The group’s preparations and up to date performances counsel its World Cup journey might be a troublesome one, whereas its Professional League struggles have left important query marks over the route wherein the sport is being managed in Pakistan.

Pakistan Squad:

Waqar, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Moin Shakeel, Abdul Waheed Ashraf Rana, Abdul Hannan Shahid, Zikriya Hayat, Arshad Liaqat, Adeel Latif, Ahmad Nadeem, Ghazanfar Ali, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Muhammad Hammaduddin Anjum, Rehman Abdul, Afraz, Umar Mustafa, Abu Bakar Mahmood, Ali Raza, Abdul Manan and Muhammad Ammad.

Goalkeepers: Waqar and Ali Raza.

Crew Administration: