New Delhi: Bangladesh has accepted an invitation to replace Pakistan in the upcoming Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2026, scheduled to be held in India from 27 October to 5 November.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) declined to send its national team to India, citing security concerns and diplomatic tensions between the two nations. PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani confirmed that the federation had formally requested the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to either or arrange Pakistan’s fixtures at an alternative site. Following the rejection of these requests by Hockey India and the governing body, Bangladesh stepped in to fill the vacant berth.
Host Venues and Confirmed Participating Lineup
The marquee continental competition will proceed as planned across the northern Indian venues of Jalandhar and Mohali. The revised six-nation field features defending champions India alongside Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea, and Bangladesh. The substitution means a highly anticipated round-robin match between traditional rivals India and Pakistan, which had been scheduled for 1 November in Jalandhar, will no longer take place. For the Bangladesh national side, the tournament provides a crucial opportunity to test its squad against Asia’s top-ranked teams on a major international stage.
Security Context and Ongoing Bilateral Standoff
The withdrawal marks the latest instance of administrative and diplomatic friction impacting sports fixtures between the neighbouring countries. Bilateral hockey series between India and Pakistan have remained suspended since 2006, leaving multi-nation continental and global tournaments as their only meeting points. With host India entering as title holders following their success in previous editions, the Asian Hockey Federation is expected to release the updated tournament draw and revised daily match schedule on Friday.