Pakistan withdraws from Asian Hockey Champions Trophy as Bangladesh replaces Green Shirts

ISLAMABAD, Oct 10: Pakistan have withdrawn from the Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2026 after their request for a neutral venue was rejected, with Bangladesh accepting an invitation to replace the Green Shirts in the continental tournament.
The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) announced the revised schedule on Friday following Pakistan’s decision not to travel to India under the existing arrangements. The tournament will be held from October 27 to November 5 in Jalandhar and Mohali.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had formally requested 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.
However, Hockey India and the AHF rejected the request, maintaining that the competition would proceed at the designated venues.
Following the decision, the PHF informed the continental body that Pakistan would not participate under the existing arrangements.
Bangladesh, one of two reserve teams alongside Oman, accepted the invitation to fill the vacant place. The revised six-team line-up comprises India, Bangladesh, Japan, China, Malaysia and South Korea.
All league-stage matches will be played at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2. The semi-finals are scheduled for November 4 in Mohali, while the final will take place on November 5 at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium.
Pakistan’s withdrawal has also removed the scheduled November 1 meeting between Pakistan and India from the tournament calendar.
The Asian Champions Trophy has traditionally featured the rivalry between the two South Asian hockey powers. Their most recent meeting came in the semi-finals of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where India secured a 4-3 victory before going on to retain the gold medal.
Pakistan’s absence from another major competition hosted by India raises questions about the impact of bilateral tensions on international hockey participation and the opportunities available to the national team.
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