Published:
Pakistan have withdrawn from the Men's Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, with Bangladesh confirmed as their replacement for the six-team continental hockey tournament scheduled to take place in Punjab, India, from October 27 to November 5.
The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) announced the revised tournament arrangements on October 9 after Pakistan decided not to travel to India under the existing venue arrangements. Bangladesh, who had been named among the reserve teams alongside Oman, accepted the invitation to fill the vacant position.
The tournament will proceed on its scheduled dates, with matches planned in Jalandhar and Mohali. India, the defending champions, will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on October 27.
Pakistan's withdrawal followed a disagreement over the venue arrangements for the tournament. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) approached the Asian Hockey Federation seeking either a relocation of the entire competition or the staging of Pakistan's matches at a neutral venue.
The PHF cited the sensitive bilateral situation between Pakistan and India and concerns about providing a safe and suitable environment for its players and officials. The request was not accepted by Hockey India and the AHF, which maintained that the competition would take place at the designated venues in Punjab.
Following the rejection, Pakistan informed the continental federation that the team would not travel to India under the existing arrangements. The withdrawal was therefore linked to the dispute over the venue and participation conditions, rather than a change to the tournament's dates.
The development comes amid continuing political tensions between the neighbouring countries, which have affected participation in several sporting events. The reasons stated by the Pakistani federation should be distinguished from wider political interpretations of the decision.
Bangladesh have accepted the invitation to join the tournament, according to reporting on the AHF's decision. The team had been listed as one of the reserve sides when the event's arrangements were announced, with Oman the other reserve team.
Bangladesh's inclusion keeps the tournament at six participating nations and allows organisers to retain the planned competition window. The revised line-up consists of India, Bangladesh, China, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia.
The change also alters India's opening opponent. Instead of beginning against Pakistan, India will face Bangladesh in Jalandhar on October 27.
The Men's Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 is scheduled to run from October 27 to November 5. Jalandhar will host the league-stage matches, while the knockout stage will take place in Mohali.
- Tournament dates: October 27 to November 5, 2026
- League-stage venue: Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar
- Knockout-stage venue: Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium, Mohali
- Semi-finals: November 4
- Final: November 5
According to the published schedule, the league phase is due to run in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2. The semi-finals will be played in Mohali on November 4, followed by the bronze-medal and final matches on November 5.
India will start their title defence against Bangladesh on October 27 in Jalandhar. The revised fixture replaces the previously scheduled opening match against Pakistan, which had been part of the original tournament line-up.
India enter the competition as defending champions after winning the 2024 edition in Hulunbuir, China. The team will be aiming to maintain its position among Asia's leading hockey nations on home soil.
The withdrawal also means the India-Pakistan group-stage match planned for November 1 will no longer take place. India are now scheduled to face Malaysia on that date, according to reports on the revised fixture list.
India
Bangladesh
China
Japan
South Korea
Malaysia
Pakistan's absence removes one of the most closely followed rivalries in Asian hockey from this edition of the tournament. India and Pakistan have a long history of competition in the sport, and their meetings frequently draw considerable attention from supporters.
However, the revised line-up allows the tournament to proceed with six teams. Bangladesh's participation preserves the competition format, while the announced dates and venues remain unchanged.
The situation also illustrates how disagreements over travel, venue arrangements and wider bilateral relations can affect international sporting events. The AHF and organisers will now focus on delivering the tournament with the revised team list.
Pakistan's withdrawal from the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 has led to a late change in the tournament's line-up, with Bangladesh taking the vacant place. The event remains scheduled for October 27 to November 5 in Jalandhar and Mohali.
India will open against Bangladesh, and the fixture list has been revised to remove the planned India-Pakistan encounter. With the tournament approaching, the focus now turns to the participating teams and the start of the continental competition.
