Hockey World Cup 2023 will be hosted by two Indian cities: Bhubaneshwar and Rourkela in Odisha.
The marquee event will kick-start on January 13 while the final is scheduled to take place on January 29.
A total of 16 teams, including defending champions Belgium, World no. 1 Australia, and two debutants Wales and Chile, will vie for the coveted trophy.
Also read: Hockey World Cup 2023: India's schedule, venues, teams, stats, live telecast & streaming details
Interesting facts and Trivia
No Pakistan in Hockey World Cup
- Pakistan are the most successful World Cup team
- Men in Green, however, failed to qualify for 2023 World Cup
- Pakistan also missed the 2014 edition
India as hosts
- India - 1st nation to host Hockey World Cup twice in a row
- 4th time India is hosting World Cup, most by any country
- India also hosted WC in Mumbai 1982, Delhi 2010 & Odisha 2018
India in Hockey World Cups
- First time since 1982, India playing WC as Olympic medallist
- India only won WC once in 1975, beat Pakistan 2-1
- 7th time WC is hosted by an Asian nation (India, Pakistan & Malaysia)
Defending champions & newcomers
- World No. 2 Belgium are defending champions.
- Wales & Chile making their men's Hockey World Cup debut
- Belgium's John-John Dohmen: Most-capped player at 2023 WC with 436 matches
Change of nationality for two Argentine players
- Gonzalo Peillat, 2014 World Cup top-goal scorer, to play for Germany instead of Argentina.
- Joaguin Menini also switched sides. Menini represented Argentina in the 2014 & 2018 World Cups. He will play for Spain this time.