Pakistan beat Japan 4-3 to qualify Hockey World Cup 2026, sealing a semi-final win on Friday to confirm their place at the global event and end an eight-year wait for World Cup qualification.
The Men in Green stayed unbeaten in the qualifiers in Egypt, scoring once in the first quarter and then adding three goals in a decisive fourth-quarter surge to clinch the result.
Pakistan’s goals came from Imad Muhammad, Abubakar Mahmood, Sufyan Khan and Afraz, as the team held off Japan’s comeback to secure a place in the final and, crucially, book their World Cup ticket.
Goalkeeper Ali Raza proved decisive late on. Japan were awarded a penalty stroke with four minutes remaining, but Raza saved it to protect Pakistan’s lead and close out the victory.
Following the win, the Pakistan Hockey Federation leadership congratulated the squad, with President Mohiuddin Wani praising the players for their strong performance in a tense contest.
Read: Pakistan beat Malaysia 5-3 to reach Hockey World Cup qualifier semis
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also congratulated the team, calling the qualification the result of teamwork and hard work, and praising captain Imad Shakeel Butt and the rest of the squad.
Pakistan have now advanced to the final of the qualifying tournament, with hopes of finishing the campaign with the trophy.
The Hockey World Cup 2026 is scheduled to begin on August 14 in Belgium and the Netherlands, according to the source text.
Pakistan missed the previous edition of the tournament and last secured a World Cup spot in 2018.
