12 October 2016: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed which teams will participate in each of the Hockey World League Round 2 events taking place at six locations around the world between January and April 2017.
- Teams confirmed for all six locations
- Events taking place between January and April 2017
- Next step for teams aiming for Hockey World Cup qualification
Round 2 will be played over three men’s and three women’s events, with eight teams assigned to each destination by the FIH Competitions Committee.
The first Round 2 women’s event will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 14-22 January. The teams aiming for qualification for the Hockey World League Semi-Finals and a shot at 2018 Hockey World Cup qualification are Ireland, Italy, hosts Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Fiji and Wales.
A couple of weeks later, a further eight women’s teams will take to the field in Valencia, Spain between 4-12 February. Hosts Spain will compete against Scotland, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Ghana and one more team to be confirmed.
The third women’s event will be hosted in West Vancouver, Canada between 1-9 April. Teams participating there will be India, Belarus, Canada, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Chile and France.
Men’s Round 2 begins in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where Canada, Oman, Egypt, hosts Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, Ghana and Fiji will be playing between 4-12 March.
From 11-19 March Ireland will also host a men’s Round 2 event in Ulster, with a venue to be confirmed shortly. Hosts Ireland will welcome France, Poland, Ukraine, Italy, Wales, Scotland and Austria.
The last men’s Round 2 event takes place in Tunapuna in Trinidad and Tobago from 25 March until 2 April. There, Malaysia, Japan, Russia, hosts Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Barbados, Chile and Switzerland will take part.
Composed of four rounds (Round 1, 2, Semi-Finals and Finals) and played over two years, the Hockey World League shines a spotlight on the sport around the world. Even the smallest hockey-playing nations have the opportunity to write their own chapter in hockey’s history books.
A lot is at stake for teams participating in these Hockey World League Round 2 events. Whilst vital FIH Hero World Ranking points will be awarded depending on final standings, eight teams per gender will qualify for the Hockey World League Semi-Finals. These will be the top two teams from each event plus the two highest placed teams in the FIH Hero World Rankings of the teams that finish third.
Taking place next June and July, the Semi-Finals offer teams the chance to qualify for the Hockey World League Finals later in the year, plus the ultimate prize of 2018 Hockey World Cup qualification.
Tickets for the first of those, the men’s Hockey World League Semi-Final at London’s Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre (15-25 June), are now on sale and can be purchased by clicking here.
Fans can support their nation’s journey throughout the Hockey World League by following FIH on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and visiting FIH.ch over the coming months.
Hockey World League Round 2:
14-22 January: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Women)
4-12 February: Valencia, Spain (Women)
4-12 March: Dhaka, Bangladesh (Men)
11-19 March: Ulster, Ireland (Men)
25 March-2 April: Tunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago (Men)