KARACHI – Pakistan will not travel to India for upcoming hockey tournaments over “security” concerns, government sources told AFP on July 12, potentially jeopardising their place at the 2026 Hockey World Cup.

The nuclear-armed neighbours traded the worst violence in decades during a four-day conflict in May that killed 70 people.

Pakistan was due to participate in the Men’s Asia Cup for hockey to be hosted by India in August and September, for which the federation had sought the government’s clearance.

“After the recent war, the security and safety of our hockey players will be at risk,” said a sports ministry source, who asked not to be identified.

Pakistan will also not participate in the Junior World Cup in India in November, the source said.

Once a force in international hockey, with three Olympic gold medals and four world titles, Pakistan have slumped to 15th in the rankings.

Not featuring in the Asia Cup will likely cost Pakistan a place in the 2026 senior World Cup to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium.

A second government source also confirmed the decision to AFP.

Pakistan’s foreign office has not responded to AFP’s request for comment.

India stalled all bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which it blamed on militants based across the border.

Cricket has been the most affected sport, with the two countries only meeting each other in multinational events abroad.

India refused to visit Pakistan in 2025, when it hosted the Champions Trophy, forcing the final to be staged on neutral ground in Dubai.

In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan will also not send its women’s cricket team to India for the 50-over World Cup later in 2025 and the T20 World Cup in 2026.

They agreed instead to play their matches in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s hockey team last toured India for the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, finishing fifth amongst six teams.

Meanwhile, over in India, the nation’s top-flight football league, the Indian Super League, is on hold, the country’s football federation (AIFF) announced on July 12, citing stalled negotiations for a contract renewal with their commercial partners, Reliance-led Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).

Talks to renew the 2010 agreement stalled after India’s Supreme Court asked the AIFF not to renew their deal with FSDL until its order, the federation said.

A case to implement a new constitution for the AIFF is ongoing at the country’s Supreme Court. AFP, REUTERS

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