Pakistan to Host the Men’s Nations Cup in Lahore as the Tournament Grows to Ten Teams
It’s official. Pakistan are hosting a major FIH tournament again.
The FIH confirmed on Friday that Lahore will stage the 2026-27 Men’s Nations Cup from 19 to 28 February 2027, and it’s a bigger event than ever before. Ten teams this time, up from eight, with the winners earning promotion to the 2027-28 Pro League. For a country that lives and breathes this sport, that’s a home tournament with a genuine prize at the end of it.
Pakistan go in as hosts and as the side with something to prove. They finished runners-up in the 2024-25 edition, then spent the 2025-26 season getting a taste of the top flight in the Pro League. Now they get a shot at winning their way back there, in front of their own crowd.
Ten teams, five continents
The field is a proper mix. Alongside Pakistan, the teams coming to Lahore are Egypt, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Korea and the United States. That’s five continents in one tournament, and no easy games anywhere in it.
New Zealand will fancy their chances. They’ve won this tournament twice and come back looking to reclaim the crown. Malaysia arrive as Asian Champions Trophy bronze medallists, fresh from beating Korea 5-2 in Mohali last week, and they know Pakistani conditions as well as anyone. Japan were runners-up at the Asian Champions Trophy too, losing 4-1 to India in the final. Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Korea all have the players to ruin somebody’s week.
The champions of the last edition, France, won’t be there to defend it. They’ve moved up to the Pro League this season, which is exactly the road everyone in Lahore will be trying to follow.
Why this one matters
The Nations Cup has only been around since 2022, but it’s already the clearest route back to the top table. South Africa hosted it first in Potchefstroom in 2022 and again in Cape Town earlier this year, Poland staged it in Gniezno in 2024, and Malaysia hosted in Kuala Lumpur in 2025. Now it’s Lahore’s turn, and FIH president Tayyab Ikram didn’t hide what it means to him.
“Pakistan hosting the 2026-27 FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup marks a deeply significant moment for global hockey,” Ikram said. “Pakistan holds a cherished and foundational place in the heritage of our sport, driven by an extraordinary passion from its fans and an undeniable legacy of champions. Bringing a major FIH event back to the country reflects our continued commitment to expanding hockey’s footprint.”
The announcement was made at a signing ceremony in Islamabad, with PHF president Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani in attendance alongside government ministers Rana Sanaullah and Attaullah Tarar.
For our money, this is the biggest home assignment Pakistan hockey has had in years. A settled squad, a home crowd, and a Pro League place on the line. The build-up starts now, with the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh next week the first test of where this team actually stands.
