Pakistan ends eight-year wait for Hockey World Cup spot after 4-3 win over 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.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced cash rewards of ₨1.5 million for each player of the national hockey team in recognition of their performance in the World Cup Qualifiers, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office.
“The move recognises the players’ dedication and hard work and is intended to support the development of hockey in Pakistan,” the statement added.
The statement said the national team’s participation in the qualifiers had generated widespread excitement among hockey fans across the country.
It added that the announcement should be seen “as a boost for athletes”, underlining the “importance of perseverance and sporting excellence.”
Read: Refusing to collapse: How Pakistan hockey fought its way back to the World Cup
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. They eventually lost to England 4-1 in the final of the qualifiers.
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 last secured a place in the tournament in 2018.
