FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup returns to India as the 2025 edition begins on 28th November in Tamil Nadu across two venues, at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Egmore, Chennai and at the Madurai International Hockey Stadium. India led by Rohit will take on underdogs Chile in their opening game. It’s the first FIH Junior Hockey World Cup to feature 24 teams. India were originally placed in the same group as Pakistan but the Pakistan Hockey Federation told FIH they have not accepted the invitation to participate in the tournament, with Oman replacing them.
India have PR Sreejesh, legendary goalkeeper, as their head coach. “Every single player in the team knows how important this tournament is for them. This is where their future begins and a good show here, would certainly mean they push for a place in the senior team. Having said that, the players are eager to get going. It has been several months of preparations and now is the time to perform,” he said on the eve of their campaign opener.
Rohit too put his weight being the preparations. “We got to play the Senior India side regularly during our preparations over the past few months. And coming here almost two weeks early has helped us get used to the ground conditions. The mood in the squad is upbeat and also some nervousness before we start the campaign. But we trust in our preparations and will take it one match at a time.”
Here’s a quick guide to the tournament.
India’s group-stage schedule at JWC 2025
vs Chile: November 28, Chennai
vs Oman: November 29, Chennai
vs Switzerland: December 2, Madurai.
What is India’s history at FIH Junior Men’s World Cup?
India last won the in 2016 hosted in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – a tournament that gave the Senior side stars who went on to become champions in the following decade including India Captain Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Varun Kumar, Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma, Simranjeet Singh among others. India have been in the final thrice and won their first title in 2001.
India’s Junior World Cup history: 2023 – 4th, 2021 – 4th, 2016 – 1st, 2013 – 10th, 2009 – 9th, 2005 – 4th, 2001 – 1st, 1997 – 2nd, 1985 – 5th, 1982 – 5th, 1979 – 5th
Which teams are competing at the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup?
Pool A: Canada, Germany, Ireland, South Africa
Pool B: Chile, India, Oman, Switzerland
Pool C: Argentina, China, Japan, New Zealand
Pool D: Belgium, Egypt, Spain, Namibia
Pool E: Austria, England, Malaysia, Netherlands
Pool F: Australia, Bangladesh, France, Korea
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What is the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup format?
After the end of the pool stage, all 24 teams will be ranked according to the position they finished in their respective groups. Six teams that finish on top of the pools will reach the quarterfinals directly while the remaining 16 teams will enter the crossover stage.
Here’s a look at how the crossover and quarterfinals stages will be played:
Format explained. (Screengrab)
What is India’s team for the World Cup?
Goalkeepers: Bikramjit Singh, Princedeep Singh
Defenders: Rohit (C), Talem Priyobarta, Anmol Ekka, Amir Ali, Sunil Palakshappa Bennur, Shardanand Tiwari
Midfielders: Ankit Pal, Thounaojam Ingalemba Luwang, Adrohit Ekka, Rosan Kujur, Manmeet Singh, Gurjot Singh
Forwards: Arshdeep Singh, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Ajeet Yadav, Dilraj Singh
Alternate Athletes: Ravneet Singh, Rohit Kullu
How to get tickets for FIH Junior Men’s World Cup?
Hockey India announced that entry for all matches of tournament will be free of cost. Fans can secure their free virtual tickets through http://www.ticketgenie.in or the Hockey India mobile app. Upon registration, spectators will receive a digital ticket for a paperless entry process without the need for physical redemption.
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Where to watch the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup?
Live Streaming of FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 matches will be available on JioHotstar.
