Bangladesh replaces Pakistan in Asian Hockey Champions Trophy in India after Pakistan withdraws

Bangladesh have replaced Pakistan in the men's Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 after the latter withdrew from the six-team continental tournament, scheduled to be held from October 27 to November 5.

Bangladesh have accepted an invitation from the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to replace Pakistan in the Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2026, scheduled to be held in India from October 27 to November 5. The AHF on Friday announced the revised schedule for the tournament without Pakistan following the country’s decision to withdraw from the event after its request for a neutral venue was rejected. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had formally approached the continental body, seeking either the relocation of the entire tournament or the staging of Pakistan’s matches at a neutral venue, citing the sensitive bilateral situation between Pakistan and India and concerns over the safety and dignity of players and officials. Hockey India and the AHF turned down the proposal, insisting that the tournament would be held as scheduled at the designated venues in Jalandhar and Mohali. Following the decision, the PHF informed the AHF that Pakistan would not travel to India under the existing arrangements. Bangladesh, named as one of the two reserve teams alongside Oman, were subsequently invited to fill the vacant slot and accepted the offer. The revised six-team line-up comprises India, Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea and Bangladesh. All league-stage matches will be played at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2, with the opening ceremony also scheduled at the venue. The semi-finals will be held in Mohali on November 4, while the final is scheduled for November 5 at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium. Defending champions India, who won the title in Chennai in 2023 and Hulunbuir, China, in 2024, will open their campaign against Bangladesh on October 27. The scheduled India-Pakistan encounter on November 1 in Jalandhar has been scrapped following Pakistan’s withdrawal. First held in 2011, the Asian Champions Trophy has regularly featured the traditional rivalry between India and Pakistan. The two sides last met in the semi-finals of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where India secured a 4-3 victory before retaining the gold medal. Pakistan had also withdrawn from the Junior World Cup held in India last year, citing similar concerns. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier indicated that Pakistan was expected to participate, referring to India’s policy of allowing neighbouring countries to compete in multi-nation sporting events. Despite Pakistan’s withdrawal and Bangladesh’s inclusion, the organisers have confirmed that the tournament will proceed as planned. The event will mark the return of a major international hockey tournament to Punjab after nearly two decades. The latest development highlights the continuing impact of political tensions on sporting ties between Pakistan and India, despite their longstanding association with hockey and efforts to promote the sport at the continental level.

Pakistan has officially withdrawn from the men's Asian Champions Trophy scheduled for late October. Bangladesh will step in as Pakistan's replacement, with matches starting on October 27. The tournament will include major teams like India, Malaysia, and Japan, competing in a round-robin format. India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh after winning the Asian Games gold medal.

Pakistan have withdrawn from the men’s Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 after failing to get a clearance from their government. Pakistan were intially named in India's group but the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had previously stated that the team’s participation in the tournament in India would depend on government clearance. They have subsequently pulled out, with Bangladesh roped in as replacement. Asian Hockey Champions Trophy schedule announced . Pakistan refused to go to India AHF included Bangladesh as replacement of Pakistan Hockey Team .#India #Hockey pic.twitter.com/ZsOBCRDNU6— Sohail Imran (@sohailimrangeo) October 9, 2026 India denied request of neutral venueThe Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had reportedly requested that the tournament be shifted to a neutral venue or that Pakistan’s matches be played at a neutral location. However, Hockey India rejected the proposal, maintaining that the tournament’s schedule and venues would remain unchanged. With the PHF sticking to its position, the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) decided to replace Pakistan with Bangladesh for the six-team competition.With Bangladesh joining the competition, the participating teams will be India, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China and Bangladesh. India, the defending champions and reigning Asian Games gold medallists, will enter the tournament as the highest-ranked side and aim to extend their impressive recordAsian Games 2026: India Finishes 4th With 85 Medals As Shooting, Athletics Dip Despite Historic Hockey, Archery SuccessIndia will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on October 27, before facing China on October 29, Japan on October 30, Malaysia on November 1 and South Korea on November 2. All five of India’s league matches are scheduled to begin at 7 pm IST, with October 28, October 31 and November 3 designated as rest days. The opening ceremony will take place on October 27, shortly before India’s tournament opener.

Karachi, October 8: Pakistan are likely to miss the upcoming Men's Asian Hockey Champions Trophy in India after deciding not to send their national team for the tournament, as per local media reports. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has raised security concerns over the team's participation.If Pakistan withdraws, Bangladesh are expected to take their place in the six-team tournament. The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) could make an official announcement on the replacement on Friday.India is scheduled to host the tournament from October 27 to November 5. The matches will be played in Jalandhar and Mohali. Pakistan had asked for the competition to be shifted to a neutral venue or for its matches to be played at a neutral venue. Hockey India did not agree to the request and confirmed that the tournament would go ahead at the planned venues.The PHF then informed the AHF that it would not send the Pakistan team to India under the current circumstances. PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said the federation had taken the decision after considering the security situation and the current relations between the two countries.Wani said the safety of Pakistan's players and officials was the federation's main concern. He also maintained that Pakistan remains committed to international hockey and is willing to play against FIH member nations including India. He further said that sports should not be affected by political issues.The development came a day after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said Pakistan was expected to participate in the tournament. Mann said neighbouring countries can take part in multinational sporting events. He pointed out that bilateral sporting contests between India and Pakistan are treated differently.Asian Games 2026: Team India Beat Pakistan 4-3 In Nail-Biting Clash To Enter Men's Hockey FinalIndia will enter the Asian Champions Trophy as the defending champions. The team won the 2023 edition in Chennai and then successfully defended its title in Hulunbuir, China in 2024.Pakistan had faced a similar situation last year when it withdrew from the Junior World Cup hockey tournament in Tamil Nadu. The PHF had then cited tensions between India and Pakistan as the reason for its decision.