The Pakistan Hockey Federation has formally approached the Asian Hockey Federation seeking a change to the arrangements for the 2026 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy. The PHF has asked either for the entire tournament to be moved outside India or for all of Pakistan’s matches to be played at a neutral venue.
PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani said the request was made in view of the current bilateral situation and security conditions between Pakistan and India. The federation said its objective is to provide a safe and suitable environment for the national team’s players and officials.
The Men’s Asian Champions Trophy is scheduled for October 27 to November 5, 2026, with the competition being jointly hosted by Jalandhar and Mohali in India’s Punjab province. The tournament will feature six teams: Pakistan, India, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.
Jalandhar is set to host the opening ceremony and league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2. The semi-finals and final are scheduled to move to Mohali on November 4 and 5.
Pakistan and India are currently scheduled to meet in the league stage on November 1 in Jalandhar.
The final decision on Pakistan’s request rests with the Asian Hockey Federation, which will have to consider whether the tournament or Pakistan’s matches can be relocated. As of September 17, Hockey India has publicly rejected the request and said there will be no change to the scheduled venues.
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh, who is also an AHF vice president, said the venues would remain unchanged. Reports also indicate that Bangladesh or Oman could potentially replace Pakistan if the team does not participate.
he Pakistan Hockey Federation has formally approached the Asian Hockey Federation seeking a change to the arrangements for the 2026 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation has formally approached the Asian Hockey Federation seeking a change to the arrangements for the 2026 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy. The PHF has asked either for the entire tournament to be moved outside India or for all of Pakistan’s matches to be played at a neutral venue.
PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani said the request was made in view of the current bilateral situation and security conditions between Pakistan and India. The federation said its objective is to provide a safe and suitable environment for the national team’s players and officials.
The Men’s Asian Champions Trophy is scheduled for October 27 to November 5, 2026, with the competition being jointly hosted by Jalandhar and Mohali in India’s Punjab province. The tournament will feature six teams: Pakistan, India, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.
Jalandhar is set to host the opening ceremony and league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2. The semi-finals and final are scheduled to move to Mohali on November 4 and 5.
Pakistan and India are currently scheduled to meet in the league stage on November 1 in Jalandhar.
The final decision on Pakistan’s request rests with the Asian Hockey Federation, which will have to consider whether the tournament or Pakistan’s matches can be relocated. As of September 17, Hockey India has publicly rejected the request and said there will be no change to the scheduled venues.
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh, who is also an AHF vice president, said the venues would remain unchanged. Reports also indicate that Bangladesh or Oman could potentially replace Pakistan if the team does not participate.
