Bangladesh Replace Pakistan in Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026
Bangladesh will step in for Pakistan in the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 after the latter's withdrawal. Get the full match schedule here.
The landscape of the upcoming men's Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 has shifted significantly following the withdrawal of Pakistan. In a major update for hockey enthusiasts, Bangladesh has been officially named as the replacement for the Pakistani side in the prestigious six-team continental tournament.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 27 to November 5. The decision comes after the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) indicated that their participation was contingent upon government clearance, which ultimately led to their exit from the competition.
The Six Contenders Ready for Battle
With Bangladesh stepping into the fray, the tournament will now feature a highly competitive lineup. The participating nations include:
- India (Title holders and reigning Asian Games champions)
- Malaysia
- Japan
- South Korea
- China
- Bangladesh
India enters the competition as the top-ranked team and the most successful side in the history of the trophy, having secured titles in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2023, and 2024. The hosts will be looking to defend their dominance on home soil.
Venues and Match Schedule
The Asian Hockey Federation has confirmed that the action will be split across two iconic venues in Punjab, a state widely considered the nursery of Indian hockey. The tournament structure is as follows:
League Stage: Jalandhar
All league-stage matches will be hosted at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2. The format follows a single round-robin league phase where each team plays five matches. The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals.
Knockout Stage: Mohali
The tournament will move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali for the business end of the competition. The semi-finals are set for November 4, with the bronze and gold medal matches taking place on November 5.
India's Road to Glory
The Indian team's campaign kicks off with an opening ceremony on October 27, immediately followed by their first match against Bangladesh. All of India's league matches are scheduled to begin at 19:00 IST. The schedule for the hosts is as follows:
- October 27: India vs Bangladesh
- October 29: India vs China
- October 30: India vs Japan
- November 1: India vs Malaysia
- November 2: India vs South Korea
Rest days for the teams have been scheduled for October 28, October 31, and November 3.
Officials Express Excitement
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his enthusiasm regarding the announcement, stating that the release of the schedule has added immense excitement to the event. He welcomed the participating nations to Punjab, promising high-quality hockey action.
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh echoed these sentiments, noting that the countdown has officially begun and that the tournament provides a vital platform for teams to showcase their skills at the highest level while celebrating the hospitality of Punjab.