Wales men and women aiming for global stage as World Cup Qualifiers near

Wales’ senior men and women face thrilling challenges as their chance at World Cup qualification takes place over February and March. 

The men will battle it out in Santiago, Chile from 28 February to 8 March, while the women take to the field from 8 March to 14 March in Hyderabad, India. 

Both tournaments offer the opportunity to secure a place at this summer’s World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands; but the Welsh sides must first overcome other hopeful nations. 

How did they get there? 

The men secured their place in the Qualifiers last summer, after a barnstorming run to gold in the EuroHockey Championships II. 

A campaign which included a 14-0 romp of Croatia and 5-0 victory over Italy culminated in a dramatic penalty shootout win against Ireland in the final.  

Similarly, the ladies have got the chance to represent Wales on the global stage courtesy of a fantastic EuroHockey Championships II performance last summer. 

They brought home silver to claim an historic achievement which saw them gain promotion to the top tier of European competition for the first time in over two decades. 

Defeat to Italy in the final denied them gold, but a 100% record in the group and victory over Austria ensured they’d also battle it out for a place in Belgium and the Netherlands.

“These qualification tournaments offer an exciting opportunity for Welsh hockey to step forward on the world stage,” commented Hoci Cymru’s Performance Director, Katie Glynn.  

“Both our men’s and women’s programmes have earned their place on this stage through outstanding performances in Europe, and now have the opportunity to test themselves again against some of the very best in the world.” 

Who will they face? 

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

Wales will have reason to be optimistic, 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). 

The men’s victory over this tournament’s second-highest ranked side, Ireland, last summer, however, demonstrates how rankings are there to be upset, so there certainly won’t be any complacency on Wales’ side. 

On paper, meanwhile, the ladies face a more challenging route to the World Cup. 

Ranked 25^th, they’ll be heading to their qualification tournament in India with only Austria below them in the world rankings. 

In their pool, they will face known opposition in Scotland and Uruguay, ranked 14^th and 19^th in the world respectively, as well as hosts India, a top-ten side.  

Having shown fantastic form in recent times, the Welsh ladies will certainly display the classic Welsh spirit in their bid to overcome the challenge. 

“This is exactly where we want to be,” added Glynn. “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. We will go into these tournaments with belief, momentum and a clear ambition to show that Wales belongs on the global stage.” 

How do the tournaments work? 

There are four tournaments taking place across three continents in total, two men’s and two women’s.  

Each tournament of eight nations will be divided into two four-team groups, before the semi-finals and finals determine the medalling teams.  

The top three in each tournament will qualify for August’s main event, while the fourth-placed team (across the men’s and women’s events, respectively) that’s highest in the world rankings across both tournaments will grab the last remaining spot. 

There are, therefore, seven spots to fill in the 16-team World Cup competitions taking place this summer. 

Who would Wales join in Belgium and the Netherlands? 

As hosts, Belgium and the Netherlands have both qualified for the World Cup automatically. 

Alongside them on the Men’s side are Argentina, Germany, India, New Zealand and South Africa, who automatically qualified through continental competition, while Australia and Spain claimed their spots through the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 Pro Leagues respectively.

Meanwhile, on the Women’s side, the USA, Spain, New Zealand, China and South Africa have taken their places through continental competition, and Germany and Argentina joined them courtesy of their respective 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 successes. 

How can you follow Wales? 

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.