The Hockey Men’s World Cup is an international field hockey competition, administered by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). This competition started in 1971. Apart from the Men’s World Cup, the Women’s World Cup is also organized, which started in 1974. Pakistan won the inaugural edition and is the most successful team winning four times followed by the Netherlands (3), Australia (3), and Belgium (2). However, Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 will be the 15th edition of the tournament. In addition, this will be the fourth time India will be hosting the world cup.

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Moreover, the idea of ​​the Hockey World Cup was first conceived by Air Marshal Nur Khan of Pakistan. Then he proposed his idea to the FIH through Patrick Rowley, the first editor of World Hockey magazine. His idea was approved on 26 October 1969 and adopted by the FIH Council at a meeting in Brussels on 12 April 1970. After that, FIH decided that the inaugural World Cup would be held in Pakistan in October 1971. The first two competitions were held at an interval of two years, but later this interval was reduced to four years. So now this competition is organized every four years after 1975.

India in Hockey Men’s World Cup

Indian hockey wrote a historic chapter when the country lifted its only World Cup title in 1975. The Indian team led by Ajit Pal Singh lifted the World Cup title by beating arch-rivals Pakistan 2-1 in the final at the Merdeka Football Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. As we all know that the national game of India is hockey and the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 is all set to begin on January 13, so let’s memorize all the past winners from the beginning till now.

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All the past winners of the Hockey Men’s World Cup: