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FIH Opens Bidding Process for 2027 & 2029 FIH Hockey Junior World Cups

21 Oct, 2025 The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has officially opened the bidding process for hosting the upcoming editions of the FIH Hockey Men’s and Women’s Junior World Cups in 2027 and 2029. A key milestone in the development pathway of hockey’s future stars, the FIH Hockey Junior World Cups provide young athletes with the opportunity to make their mark on the international stage. These prestigious events bring together the best under-21 talent from around the world, showcasing the next generation of global hockey excellence. Event Windows Two time slots are reserved in the international calendar for these events: 1–31 July 2027 / 2029 1–21 December 2027 / 2029 How to Apply National Associations interested in hosting are invited to submit their bids by completing the official bidding application form: FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2027/2029 Bid Form FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2027/2029 Bid Form The bid manual, hosting obligations, and event manual are available for download on the FIH website to assist interested hosts in preparing their submissions. To access them please click here. Key Deadlines The Letter of Interest and Bid Questionnaire for the 2027 event must be submitted by 1 December 2025. Once submitted, FIH will share the hosting agreement with the applicant National Associations. For the 2029 editions, the Letter of Interest should be returned by mid-2026. Hosting the FIH Hockey Junior World Cups offers a unique opportunity for National Associations to contribute to the growth of the sport and inspire the next generation of hockey players worldwide. Beyond the competition itself, the event serves as a powerful platform to engage local communities, boost national visibility, and strengthen hockey’s development legacy across all levels — from grassroots to elite. By bringing the world’s brightest young talents together, host nations not only celebrate the spirit of hockey but also help shape its global future. Source: FIH.hockey

FIH President Tayyab Ikram decorated with the Collar of Honor by the Egyptian Olympic Committee

21 Oct, 2025 FIH President Tayyab Ikram was decorated with the Collar of Honor by Engineer Yasser Idris, President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee and Vice President of World Aquatics. The Collar of Honor is one of the highest distinctions presented by the Egyptian Olympic Committee, recognizing exceptional service and lasting contributions to the global Olympic Movement and international sport. President Ikram was decorated in recognition of his outstanding leadership and continuous efforts to advance hockey worldwide, particularly his support for the growth and development of the sport in Africa and Egypt. During two separate meetings, President Ikram and Eng. Idris also agreed to enhance sports development infrastructure, with a special focus on building a stronger foundation for hockey’s growth and accessibility in Egypt. #FIH #HockeyForAll #OlympicSpirit #EgyptHockey #HockeyAfrica #SportForAll #Empowerment #Engagement Source: FIH.hockey

FIH President Tayyab Ikram Inaugurates Hockey5s Pitch in Cairo under FIH Empowerment and Engagement Strategy

20 Oct, 2025 FIH President Tayyab Ikram inaugurated the Hockey5s pitch at Zamalek Sporting Club in Cairo, Egypt — as part of the FIH Empowerment and Engagement Strategy — More Places to Play — marking another key milestone in the expansion of Hockey5s infrastructure across the world. This inauguration is part of FIH’s broader Empowerment and Engagement Strategy, through which around 20 Hockey5s pitches are planned for installation this year, aiming to make the sport more accessible and inspiring for young athletes worldwide. During his visit, President Ikram interacted with young athletes and future Olympians, encouraging them to carry forward hockey’s values of teamwork, passion, and perseverance. We are working together with all Continental Federations and National Associations under the FIH Empowerment and Engagement Strategy — the More Places to Play initiative — to increase the accessibility of hockey across the world. He also praised the African Hockey Federation (AfHF) and the Egyptian Hockey Federation for their dedicated efforts to strengthen hockey development and drive the FIH Empowerment and Engagement in the region. This initiative reinforces FIH’s commitment to empowering the next generation of players and advancing Hockey for All. 🌍✨ #HockeyForAll #Hockey5s #EgyptHockey #FIH #ZamalekSC #SportForAll #YouthDevelopment #Empowerment #Engagement #AfHF #HockeyAfrica Source: FIH.hockey

South Africa Women and Men qualify for FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026

18 Oct, 2025 The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 came to a conclusion today with South Africa men and women winning the titles to claim the gold medal and qualify for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026! In the women’s competition all five teams played each other in the first round robin stage. South Africa topped the pool with three wins and a draw against Kenya earning them ten points. Ghana finished second with three wins and a solo loss coming against table toppers South Africa. Kenya finished third with seven points, Nigeria finished fourth with three and Egypt finished bottom of the table without scoring a point. The pool standings set up the medal matches with third place Kenya taking on Nigeria in the bronze medal match, while South Africa took on Ghana for the top step on the podium and the coveted spot at the upcoming World Cup. Egypt finished the event in fifth place. The bronze medal match was played first with Kenya winning 1-0 against Nigeria through a final quarter goal by Grace Bwire. The gold medal match followed and the defending champions South Africa came flying out of the gates, scoring thrice in the opening quarter with Jean-Leigh du Toit, Kayla de Waal and Hannah Pearce scoring in a ten minute burst that gave them complete control of the game. Jean-Leigh added a second for her and fourth for South Africa, as they coasted to a 4-0 win, securing a spot at the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026. South African captain Quanita Bobbs, speaking after the final said: “It’s always an honour to be the African Champion. We are a new team and it was a really good tournament for us to start our process to the World Cup in 2026. We are very happy that we qualified and look forward to growing as a group to be as competitive as we can next year.” In the men’s competition all six teams played each other in the first round robin stage. South Africa topped the pool with four wins and a draw. Egypt matched South Africa’s points total, with the two teams having played out an entertaining 3-3 draw, but were placed second on the table through an inferior goal difference. Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana were placed third, fourth and fifth on the table, with all three teams finishing on six points, separated by goal difference. Zambia took the final pool position. The pool standings set up the medal matches with third place Kenya taking on Nigeria in the bronze medal match, while South Africa took on Egypt for the top step on the podium and the coveted spot at the upcoming World Cup. The bronze medal match was played first with Nigeria getting the better of Kenya 3-1 thanks to a star turn by James Samaila who scored a brace in the final quarter to lift his team to the podium. Hosts Egypt then took on defending champions South Africa in the finals. The visitors made the perfect start with Mustaphaa Cassiem scoring twice in the opening quarter. Egypt pulled on back in the second quarter to set up a thrilling second half. South Africa took complete control of the game in the second half though, scoring thrice as Mustaphaa Cassiem completed his hat-trick, while Nicolas Spooner and Calvin Davis added a goal apiece, as South Africa continued their continental dominance winning yet another gold at the Africa Cup of Nations, and confirming their spot at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026. Egypt through their second place finish qualified for the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers to be played in 2026. South African skipper Dayaan Cassiem, speaking after the win, said: “It means a lot to the team and the South African hockey community to win this tournament and qualify for the World Cup. A lot of hard work from the players and coaching staff had gone into the preparation for this tournament and we are looking forward to returning home and celebrating this moment.” World Cup Qualification South Africa become the ninth team to qualify for the men’s FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026. Belgium and Netherlands, on account of being hosts of the event, gained direct qualification. Australia and Spain qualified through the previous two editions of the FIH Hockey Pro League. Argentina secured qualification through the Pan American Cup, Germany qualified from the Eurohockey Championship, New Zealand qualified through the Oceania Cup and India qualified through the Asia Cup. The remaining seven teams will qualify through the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers in 2026. Based on their performance at the Pan American Cup, the EuroHockey Championships, Asia Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations the following men’s teams have qualified for the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026: USA, Canada, Chile, France, England, Austria, Poland, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Egypt. The winner of the three-match series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will complete the line-up. South Africa become the ninth team to qualify for the women’s FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026. Belgium and Netherlands, on account of being hosts of the event, gained direct qualification. Germany and Argentina qualified through the previous two editions of the FIH Hockey Pro League. USA secured qualification through the Pan American Cup, Spain qualified from the Eurohockey Championship, New Zealand qualified through the Oceania Cup and China qualified through the Asia Cup. The remaining seven teams qualifying through the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers in 2026. Based on their performance at the Pan American Cup, EuroHockey Championships, Oceania Cup and Asia Cup the following women’s teams have qualified for the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026: Uruguay, Chile, Canada, Ireland, England, France, Italy, Wales, Scotland, Austria, Switzerland, Australia, India, Japan, Korea and Malaysia. #HWC2026 Source: FIH.hockey

South Africa Dominate Egypt to Win African Crown and Seal World Cup Qualification

The South African men’s hockey team produced a performance for the ages to defeat Egypt 5–1 in the final of the 2025 African Hockey Cup of Nations in Ismailia, claiming their eighth continental title and booking their place at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. It was the seventh consecutive AFCON final between the two African giants, who had played out a 3–3 draw in the group stages. This time, however, South Africa left no doubt about their supremacy, combining composure, structure, and brilliance in front of goal to secure the biggest winning margin ever recorded in an AFCON men’s final. From the outset, South Africa looked settled and confident, creating early chances while maintaining defensive control. It was Mustapha Cassiem, the man for the big moments, who delivered first. A perfectly executed slip variation at a penalty corner gave the Amsterdam star a sight of goal, and he made no mistake, rocketing an unstoppable drag flick into the back of the net to give South Africa the lead. As the half wore on, the magic of Mustapha lit up the final once again. Just before the break, Nic Spooner lifted a clever overhead into Cassiem, who shaped to shoot before calmly outsmarting the defenders and scooping the ball past the keeper, a moment of pure class that doubled the advantage. Egypt clawed one back through Esmat, who reacted first to a rebound from a penalty corner after a sharp save by Cullin de Jager. Moments later came one of the game’s talking points, a blistering South African counterattack saw Cassiem through on goal before being taken down illegally by the goalkeeper. A penalty stroke was initially awarded, but after Egyptian protests and treatment delays, the decision was overturned, leaving the halftime score at 2–1 in a fiercely contested battle. The third quarter began with Egypt threatening from another penalty corner, striking the crossbar as they searched for an equaliser. But South Africa weathered the storm and struck the decisive blow through Nic Spooner, who finished a composed move after Jaydon Brooker’s brilliant run and cross to make it 3–1. Moments later, a sweeping South African attack saw the ball cleared off the line before another penalty corner was earned and there was no stopping Mustapha Cassiem this time, who completed his hat-trick with another thunderous finish to push the scoreline to 4–1. Goalkeeper Cullin de Jager produced two outstanding saves late in the third quarter to preserve the lead, showcasing the depth of South Africa’s performance. Early in the fourth quarter, Egypt were reduced to ten men following a yellow card, and South Africa pounced instantly. Calvin Davis found space just inside the circle and unleashed a superb reverse-stick strike to make it 5–1, sealing the contest in style. The final minutes saw Egypt earn a string of penalty corners, but the South African defence stood tall, ensuring there would be no way back for the hosts. When the final whistle blew, it marked a moment of pride and history, South Africa lifting their eighth African title, their seventh straight final triumph over Egypt, and securing qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. Source: SAhockey.co.za | Oct 18, 2025