Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023: Everything you need to know | Hockey News

The curtain over the 15th FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup will rise on January 13 when the 2016 Olympic champions Argentina and South Africa line up at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium — one of the two venues for the showpiece event.
Rourkela’s Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium (BMHS) will make its debut, both as an international venue and as World Cup co-host on the same day, January 13. The stadium complex, which includes a first of its kind World Cup Village as well, was unveiled amid much fanfare last week.
A total of 44 matches, 20 at BMHS and 24 at the Kalinga, will culminate with the final in Bhubaneswar on January 29.
Here’s your one-stop guide to everything you want to know about the tournament, where India will hope to repeat the historic 1975 moment and end a 48-year wait for another World Cup title:
HOW TO TRAVEL
With the tournament moving deeper into the eastern Indian state of Odisha, i.e. Rourkela, besides Bhubaneswar, the travel itineraries need to be well sorted. For the best options to plan that, click HERE
TEAM INDIA
The Indian team will be led by one of world’s best drag-flick exponents Harmanpreet Singh, with stalwarts and former captains like PR Sreejesh and Manpreet Singh there to guide the squad brimming with young talent.
Take a look at the squad:

WORLD CUP TRIVIA
After 1982 it will be the first time that an Indian team will play at a World Cup as a medallist from the last Olympics, as India won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 to end a 41-year wait.
Fore more such interesting trivia and World Cup facts, click HERE

1975 – India’s only triumph at a Hockey World Cup

THE FIXTURES
India will open their Pool D campaign against Spain on the first day of the tournament in an evening match under the lights in Rourkela. The India fixtures as well as the complete tournament schedule can be found HERE
WHAT’S THE TOURNAMENT FORMAT?
The 16 participating teams have been divided into four pools of four teams each. To know who qualifies for the knockout rounds and how, click HERE
POOL STANDINGS IN CASE OF TIES
The FIH Tournament Regulations lists various tie-breaker scenarios to decide standings at the end of pool phase. Those rules can be found HERE
POINTS TABLE
A team that tops its pool will get a direct entry into the quarterfinals. HERE
WHERE TO WATCH ON TV
The World Cup matches will be live-streamed on the Disney-Hotstar app and broadcast live on Star Sports Network.