Bangladesh replaces Pakistan in India-hosted Asian Hockey Champions Trophy

Bangladesh will replace Pakistan in the 2026 Asian Hockey Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be hosted in India from October 27 to November 5. The tournament will take place in Jalandhar and Mohali.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) withdrew the national team after requesting that the tournament or its specific matches be held at a neutral venue. The PHF cited security concerns and the sensitive bilateral situation between India and Pakistan as the primary reasons for the decision, stating that the safety and dignity of players remain their priority.

Hockey India and the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) rejected the request for a neutral venue, maintaining the original schedule and locations. Following Pakistan's exit, the AHF invited Bangladesh to join the six-team competition. The participating nations will include India, Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea, and Bangladesh.