India, Pakistan in different groups in Asian Games draw
New Delhi, July 24
Defending champions India are in a different pool from arch-rivals Pakistan for the men's hockey competition at the Asian Games 2026 and the two sides cannot meet before the knockout stage of the continental showpiece.
The draw, confirmed by the organisers on Friday, placed India in Pool A alongside hosts Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Pakistan are in Pool B with Malaysia, China, Oman, Uzbekistan and Thailand, according to Olympics.com.
The draw means an India-Pakistan clash, one of Asian hockey's most anticipated fixtures, can only take place in the semi-finals or the medal matches if both teams progress beyond the league stage.
In the women's competition, India are in Pool B with Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Uzbekistan. Pool A comprises China, South Korea, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei and Bangladesh.
A total of 12 teams will compete in both the men's and women's tournaments, with the sides divided into two pools of six. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals, while the remaining teams will play classification matches.
The hockey competition at the Asian Games will be held from September 18 to October 3 at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan. The women's medal matches are scheduled for October 2, while the men's podium contests will take place a day later.
India's men's team will head to Aichi-Nagoya as the defending champions. They won gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. Led by Harmanpreet Singh, India defeated Japan in the final to claim their fourth Asian Games title and secure direct qualification for the Paris Olympics.
The 2026 edition will once again serve as the continental qualifier for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with the men's gold medallists earning an automatic Olympic berth.
The Indian women's team, which claimed bronze at Hangzhou 2023, will aim to improve on that performance and secure a return to the Olympics after missing qualification for Paris 2024.
India's men have won four Asian Games hockey gold medals (1966, 1998, 2014 and 2023), while Pakistan remain the most successful nation in the competition's history with eight titles.
India's women, meanwhile, were inaugural champions in 1982 and will be chasing their first Asian Games gold in 44 years.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The women's team needs more support—they won bronze last time and are aiming for an Olympic return. It's great they're in Pool B with Japan, but South Korea in Pool A looks tough. Let's hope our girls bring home gold after 44 years! 🤞💪
Honestly, I'm relieved we avoided Pakistan in the group stage. Those matches are too high-pressure early on. Let Pakistan play China and Malaysia—their own tricky games. India should top Pool A easily, and then we can meet them in the final for a proper showdown. Good draw this!
As a hockey fan from abroad, I love the rivalry between India and Pakistan. It's unfortunate they can't meet until the semis, but that could build enormous hype. India's defense of the gold will be fascinating—Japan at home will be a tough test in the pool though.
Just hoping the organizers make the schedule fair and don't give us too many early morning matches! India vs Japan in women's pool will be crucial—we need to beat them to avoid China in semis. Also, why is Sri Lanka in our men's pool? They'll be punching bags. 😅
Good to see the draw is out, but I wish the Asian Hockey Federation would address the lack of competitive teams. With only 12 nations, the groups are uneven. Pakistan's pool has more balanced teams in Malaysia and China, while India should breeze through. Still, can't wait for the tournament—best of luck to both teams! 🏑
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