Islamabad, July 24, 2025: Pakistan invited to join FIH Pro League after New Zealand’s exit, offering a chance to revive its national game on the global stage.
Pakistan got a formal invitation from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to join the FIH Hockey Pro League, following New Zealand’s recent withdrawal. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) confirmed the development, stating that the country has time until August 12 to confirm its participation in the esteemed global tournament.
READ MORE: Eight Years, One Impact: Liam Dawson Delivers in Style
The invitation came after Hockey New Zealand officially pulled out of the Pro League, referring to financial difficulties as the main reason. The FIH previously gave New Zealand a deadline of July 21 to confirm their spot, but the Kiwis informed the federation ahead of time that ongoing budget cuts in the current Olympic cycle made continued participation unsustainable.
This marks another financial setback for New Zealand hockey, as their women’s team was also withdrawn from the Pro League earlier due to similar financial concerns.
READ MORE: Australia top men’s test rankings, India leads ODI and T20I teams
Pakistan now has a chance to step back onto the elite international stage and the PHF says discussions are underway with the Pakistan Sports Board and relevant authorities to assess feasibility. If confirmed, this could be a major boost for Pakistan’s national game and potentially reviving the country’s proud hockey legacy.
