Pakistan Hockey Team Departs for Egypt for FIH World Cup Qualifiers 2026
News, Online Services, TV, Uncategorized February 24, 2026 1 Comment on Pakistan Hockey Team Departs for Egypt for FIH World Cup Qualifiers 2026Pakistan Hockey Team Leaves for Egypt to Compete in FIH Men’s World Cup Qualifiers 2026
25-Member National Squad Aims for Strong Comeback in Ismailia
The Pakistan national hockey team has departed from Islamabad to take part in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup Qualifiers scheduled to be held in Ismailia, Egypt from March 1 to March 7, 2026. The 25-member squad carries the hopes of millions of hockey fans across the country as they prepare to compete for a place in the upcoming FIH World Cup.
The qualifiers represent a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to re-establish itself on the global hockey stage. Once considered a dominant force in international hockey, the Green Shirts are now working hard to rebuild their legacy through structured preparation, young talent development, and strategic planning.
Coaching Staff and Team Management
The team is being led by Head Coach Khawaja Muhammad Junaid, who brings valuable international experience and tactical insight. He is supported by Assistant Coach Muhammad Azfar Yaqoob, while Captain (Retd) Farrukh Atiq Khan serves as the Contingent Head.
The backroom staff also includes Sultan Ashraf as Video Analyst and Arif Haleem as Assistant Physiotherapist. Their role will be critical in maintaining fitness levels, analyzing opponents, and ensuring the team remains focused throughout the tournament.
Under the supervision of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, the squad has undergone rigorous training camps in preparation for this important event.
Full 25-Member Squad
The selected players include:
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Muneeb-ur-Rehman (Goalkeeper)
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Ali Raza (Goalkeeper)
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Imad Shakeel Butt
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Muhammad Sufyan Khan
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Ghazanfar Ali
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Ahmed Nadeem
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Moeen Shakeel
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Muhammad Abdullah
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Muhammad Hammaduddin Anjum
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Rana Abdul Waheed Ashraf
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Afraz
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Abu Bakr Mahmood
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Abdul Rehman
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Hamza Fayyaz
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Zakaria Hayat
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Arshad Liaquat
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Rana Muhammad Walid Ashraf
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Arbaaz Ahmed
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Muhammad Hammad
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Umair Sattar
The team features a balanced mix of experienced campaigners and emerging young talent. The inclusion of energetic midfielders and reliable defenders shows the management’s focus on strengthening both attack and defensive structure.
Importance of the Egypt Qualifiers
The FIH Men’s World Cup Qualifiers in Ismailia are a high-stakes competition. Teams from different regions will compete fiercely for limited qualification spots. For Pakistan, this tournament is not just about qualification but also about restoring international confidence.
The International Hockey Federation organizes these qualifiers to ensure the best teams secure their place in the prestigious World Cup tournament. Performance in this event will significantly impact Pakistan’s international ranking and future participation in major tournaments.
PHF President’s Message
PHF President Mohiuddin Wani expressed his best wishes to the national team before departure. He urged the nation to pray for the players and support them as they represent Pakistan on the international stage.
He emphasized that the federation is committed to long-term development and improving hockey standards across the country. According to him, consistent international exposure is key to rebuilding Pakistan’s hockey dominance.
A Moment of Hope for Pakistani Hockey
Hockey has historically been Pakistan’s pride, bringing home Olympic medals and World Cup titles. Although the sport has faced challenges in recent years, there is renewed optimism around the current squad.
The qualifiers in Egypt provide a platform for players to showcase discipline, teamwork, and resilience. A strong performance could reignite fan support and attract greater institutional backing for the sport.
The players have reportedly shown high morale during training sessions. Fitness levels, defensive organization, and penalty corner strategies have been areas of special focus during preparation camps.
As the team arrives in Ismailia, attention now turns toward match performance. Every game will be crucial, and small tactical decisions may determine qualification chances.
Nation Awaits Results
Pakistani fans across the country are hopeful that the team will deliver strong results. Social media platforms have already begun trending hashtags supporting the national squad.
If Pakistan manages to secure qualification, it will mark a significant step forward in the revival of national hockey. Even beyond qualification, a competitive showing would send a positive signal about the sport’s future direction.
For now, the focus remains on preparation, unity, and belief. The coming week in Egypt could prove to be a defining chapter for Pakistan hockey.
Pakistan Hockey Team Departs for Egypt for FIH World Cup Qualifiers 2026
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