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June 25, 2025

FIH invites Pakistan into Pro League after New Zealand withdrawal

FIH invites Pakistan into Pro League after New Zealand withdrawal
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The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has extended an invitation to Pakistan to join the 2025–26 Men’s FIH Hockey Pro League following New Zealand’s decision to withdraw from the 2024–25 season.

New Zealand, winners of the 2024 FIH Hockey Nations Cup, chose not to participate in the Pro League due to financial constraints, opting instead to build alternative test match programmes at home. Their exit has opened a slot, which the FIH offered to Pakistan—a team previously suspended in 2019 but now back in contention.

According to Dawn, Pakistan earned its chance at Pro League promotion by finishing among the top eight in the 2025 Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur, featuring alongside major teams like France, South Africa, and New Zealand. They were also officially named in June's Nations Cup squad, with Imad Butt leading a 20-player roster.

As noted on Wikipedia, Pakistan and other teams (e.g., Ireland, substituted for New Zealand) have taken part in the Pro League since its inception. The FIH's decision aligns with its competitive framework where the top Nations Cup finishers, who decline participation, are replaced by the next eligible teams—ensuring seamless continuity.

Pakistan has been presented with a golden opportunity to regain a spot among the world’s hockey elite. Participation in the 2025–26 Men’s Pro League offers a valuable platform for experience, exposure, and rebuilding. For fans following the nation's resurgence, this marks a critical milestone in Pakistan’s ongoing journey in international hockey.

Impact and implication

  • For Pakistan, joining the Pro League 2025–26 means returning to the top tier of international hockey after past suspensions, offering broader exposure and stronger competition.
     
  • The country's domestic hockey revival continued earlier this year with the first German junior team tour in Pakistan since 2004.
     
  • Meanwhile, New Zealand’s absence reflects financial prioritisation—Hockey NZ revealed the $1 million NZD Pro League cost prompted reallocation of funds toward a domestic test match schedule and development programmes.

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