Hockey World Cup 2023: Check interesting facts and trivia here

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.