LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Wednesday unveiled a 20-member squad and team management for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, scheduled to be played in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, and Belgium from August 15 to 30.
Having secured qualification for the prestigious tournament, Pakistan are set to compete on hockey’s biggest international stage.
The announced squad features a balanced blend of experienced internationals and promising young talent as the Green Shirts aim to make a strong impression at the World Cup.
The 20-member squad includes Waqar, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Moeen Shakeel, Abdul Waheed Ashraf Rana, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Zakaria Hayat, Arshad Liaqat, Adeel Latif, Ahmad Nadeem, Ghazanfar Ali, Imad Shakeel Butt, Muhammad Hamaduddin Anjum, Rehman Abdul, Afraz, Umar Mustafa, Abu Bakar Mahmood, Ali Raza, Abdul Matan and Muhammad Imad.
The two goalkeepers named in the squad are Waqar and Ali Raza.
The team management comprises Team Manager Muhammad Owais Qarni, Head Coach Bob Johan Veldhof (Netherlands), Assistant Coach Christopher John Bowen (Great Britain), Assistant Coach Adnan Zakir and Video Technician Ashraf Sultan.
The announcement comes around a week after experienced midfielder Ammad Butt was removed as captain of the national men’s hockey team after 14 years in the role.
In a statement on July 29, the PHF announced Abu Bakar as the new captain of the Pakistan national hockey team on the recommendation of its Professional Development Committee.
At the time, the PHF expressed appreciation for Butt’s contribution and commitment to the national team, adding that he will continue to remain part of the Pakistan squad as a senior player.
The federation had expressed confidence that, under Abu Bakar’s leadership and with the experience of senior players alongside younger members of the squad, the team will continue to develop into a competitive unit.
