The Pakistan men’s hockey team will feature in the FIH Pro League for the first time after accepting an invitation to join the 2025-26 season, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed on Thursday.
Pakistan’s entry in the FIH Pro League 2025-26 comes after New Zealand, winners of the 2024-25 FIH Nations Cup, opted out of the competition. As runners-up at the tournament in Malaysia, the Green Shirts were next in line for promotion and accepted the vacant berth.
Pakistan are three-time Olympic champions in hockey and four-time Hockey World Cup winners. Their participation also ensures two India vs Pakistan hockey matches as part of the tournament format.
FIH president Tayyab Ikram hailed the move as a landmark moment. “Great to see Pakistan back in elite competition – this is a truly impactful milestone for world hockey.
“Their return marks not only the comeback of a team with such a rich and storied history, but also an exciting boost to the visibility and reach of the FIH Hockey Pro League,” Ikram said.
The FIH Hockey Pro League, launched in 2019, features nine of the best national teams in the world across both men’s and women’s categories.
Each team plays 16 matches. The team with the highest points at the end is crowned champion, while the bottom-placed side is relegated to the second-tier Nations Cup. Meanwhile, the Nations Cup winner earns promotion to the Pro League.
The upcoming season of the FIH Pro League will also serve as a qualifying event for the LA 2028 Olympics.
Pakistan will join Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands and Spain in the upcoming men’s season of the FIH Hockey Pro League.
In the six editions held so far, the Netherlands have been dominant.
The Dutch women’s team has won five titles, while the men have claimed three crowns. Both are also the reigning champions in their respective divisions.
India’s men’s team joined the Pro League in the 2020-21 season and finished eighth in 2024-25, narrowly avoiding relegation to the Nations Cup.
The Indian women’s team, who debuted in 2021-22 and finished a creditable third in their maiden season, were relegated after finishing last in the 2024-25 campaign.