Why Won’t Pakistan Play in India’s 2026 Champions Trophy?

News Desk 

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh has replaced Pakistan in the 2026 Asian Hockey Champions Trophy after the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) declined to send the national team to India over security concerns and strained bilateral relations.

The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) invited Bangladesh to participate in place of Pakistan, and Bangladesh has accepted the invitation.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 27 to November 5 in the Indian cities of Jalandhar and Mohali.

With Bangladesh joining the competition, the participating teams will now include India, Malaysia, China, Japan, South Korea and Bangladesh. Oman has been kept on standby, while the revised tournament draw is expected to be announced on Friday.

The PHF had earlier informed the AHF that Pakistan would not travel to India for the tournament, citing security concerns. The federation had instead requested that Pakistan’s matches be shifted to a neutral venue so the national team could participate in a secure environment.

PHF President Mohiuddin Ahmed Wani said the decision was taken to safeguard the safety, dignity and well-being of Pakistani players and officials.

He also said Pakistan remained committed to promoting the Asian Champions Trophy and international hockey and was willing to compete against all International Hockey Federation (FIH) member nations, including India.

Wani expressed hope that the AHF would consider Pakistan’s request to hold its matches at a neutral venue.

Pakistan, India, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea were initially listed among the teams for the 2026 edition of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy.