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Uruguay Women, USA Men Make Historic Debuts in FIH Hockey Nations Cup

The Uruguay women's and USA men's national hockey teams will participate for the first time in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in 2026, filling spots left by Scotland and Wales. The women's tournament will be held in Auckland, New Zealand, featuring a strong lineup including hosts New Zealand, India, and France. The men's event will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, with top teams like South Africa, New Zealand, and Ireland competing. The Nations Cup serves as a crucial promotion pathway to the elite FIH Hockey Pro League.

Key Points: Uruguay & USA Teams Debut in FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2026

  • Historic debut for two teams
  • Women's event in Auckland, NZ
  • Men's event in Cape Town, SA
  • Winning team earns Pro League promotion
  • Features top-ranked nations
2 min read

Uruguay women's, USA men's join FIH Hockey Nations Cup

Uruguay women's and USA men's hockey teams will make their first appearances in the 2026 FIH Hockey Nations Cup following withdrawals.

"provide a high-level competition for the best-ranked teams not participating in the FIH Hockey Pro League - FIH"

Lausanne, April 17

The Uruguay women's and USA men's teams will participate for the very first time in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2026. This follows the withdrawals of both Scotland women's and Wales men's.

The Women's Nations Cup will take place in Auckland, New Zealand, from June 15 to June 21. The impressive line-up for the competition now includes hosts New Zealand, USA, Japan, Korea, Chile, Uruguay, along with France -- who were promoted via the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, and India -- who were relegated from the 2024-25 season of the FIH Hockey Pro League.

The city of Cape Town, South Africa, will host the Men's event from June 11 to June 20 which will also feature some of the highest-ranked teams in the world: South Africa, New Zealand, France, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, USA, along with Scotland--who were promoted via the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, and Ireland -- who were relegated from the 2024-25 season of the FIH Hockey Pro League.

The FIH Hockey Nations Cup was launched in 2021 to provide a high-level competition for the best-ranked teams not participating in the FIH Hockey Pro League and allow the winning team to be promoted to the FIH Hockey Pro League in the following season.

India, Spain and New Zealand have won the first three editions of the women's competition thus far. On the men's side, South Africa won the inaugural edition, followed by back-to-back successes for the New Zealand men's team.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting format. It's like a second-tier champions league with promotion/relegation. Must be nerve-wracking for the teams! Hope the Indian women use this as motivation to climb back up.
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Priyanka N
The men's event in Cape Town looks stacked! South Africa, New Zealand, Malaysia... tough competition. USA men making their debut is a surprise. Hockey needs more nations competing at the top level.
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Aman W
With all due respect, the article mentions India's relegation but doesn't analyze why. Our women's team has talent but consistency is the issue. The federation needs to provide better long-term support, not just react to losses.
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Kavya N
New Zealand hosting again! They are becoming a real hub for women's hockey. Best of luck to all teams. Hope the matches get good broadcast coverage in India.
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Michael C
The promotion/relegation system is smart. Keeps the Pro League competitive and gives emerging teams a clear path up. Scotland and Ireland moving between leagues shows it's working.

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