All you need to know ahead of Wales Men’s World Cup Qualifiers

St David’s Day will see Wales men kick start their hopes of World Cup qualification.  

Based in Santiago, Chile, the tournament takes place from Saturday 28 February until Sunday 8 March, with our senior men starting their campaign on day two.

How does the tournament work?

One of two men’s tournaments that offer a place at hockey’s main table in the summer, the Chile tournament is where Wales will be one of eight teams competing for three qualification places.

Split into two groups of four teams, semi-finals, a final, and a third-place play-off will determine those successful sides.

In a classic twist, there is also a bonus qualification spot for the fourth-placed team that’s highest in the world rankings across the two tournaments.

Who will Wales face? 

Our senior men have the prospect of familiar foe mixed with more unknown opposition in Santiago, having been drawn into a group with France, Scotland and Chile. 

Wales face tournament hosts Chile on Sunday 1 March, before taking on France on Tuesday 3 March and Scotland on Wednesday 4 March.

Wales can head to South America feeling optimistic, though, going into the qualification tournament as the third highest ranked team there and only facing one higher ranked side in their group in the shape of France (9^th). 

How did they get there?

Rankings will by no means make our side complacent, however, having upset the odds themselves at last year’s EuroHockey Championships II to get here.

The men secured their place in the Qualifiers after a barnstorming run to gold in that tournament, going on a rampage that included a 14-0 romp of Croatia and 5-0 victory over Italy.

Eventually, things culminated in a dramatic penalty shootout win against a more-favoured Ireland in the final.

“This is exactly where we want to be,” Hoci Cymru Performance Director, Katie Glynn, has stated. “We recognise the scale of the challenge ahead, but it is also a powerful reflection of where Welsh hockey is now, and where we intend to keep pushing.

“These qualification tournaments offer an exciting opportunity for Welsh hockey to step forward on the world stage.  

“We have earned our place on this stage through outstanding performances in Europe, and now have the opportunity to test ourselves again against some of the very best in the world.” 

How can you follow the action?

You’ll be able to catch all the action live through the Watch.Hockey platform by purchasing a pass, while you can also keep up to date with Wales’ progress via Hoci Cymru’s social channels.