Pakistan is set to host the FIH Men’s Nations Cup in Lahore in February 2027. This marks the return of a major international hockey tournament to the country after a long gap.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) signed an agreement to host the event during a ceremony in Islamabad on Friday. The ceremony was attended by Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Adviser on Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah, FIH President Tayyab Ikram, members of parliament, and former Olympians.
The tournament will feature 10 teams, including Pakistan, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Korea, and Ireland. According to the report, the FIH Nations Cup provides teams with an opportunity to qualify for the FIH Pro League, which is one of the top international hockey competitions. The winner of the tournament will be offered a place in the 2027-28 Pro League season, while the runner-up could qualify if the winner declines the invitation.
France won the previous FIH Nations Cup in June 2026, defeating South Africa 2-1 in the final to secure promotion to the 2026-27 FIH Pro League.
While Lahore previously hosted the Champions Trophy in 2004, it has not staged a major international hockey tournament for many years. Recent international hockey matches involving visiting teams have largely been held in Islamabad.
Hosting the FIH Nations Cup is expected to give a major boost to Pakistan hockey and allow local fans to watch international teams compete on home soil. The tournament also represents an important step in the PHF’s efforts to bring more international hockey events back to Pakistan.
