FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2021: India begin title defence against France - full schedule

India are grouped in Pool B along with Canada, France and Poland. The top two teams from each group qualify for the quarter-finals.

2 minBy Naveen Peter
Hockey Jr World Cup 2016
(Hockey India)

Defending champions India will start their FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2021 campaign with a match against France on November 24, the opening day of the event, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar.

This year’s junior hockey World Cup will feature 16 teams divided into four groups.

In the group stage, each team plays the other three in their group once. The top two sides from each group advance to the quarter-finals while the remaining teams will play the classification matches for positions nine to 16.

The Indian men’s junior hockey team is clubbed alongside Canada, France and Poland in Pool B.

Pool A features Belgium, the runners-up from the previous edition, Chile, Malaysia and South Africa. South Korea, Netherlands, Spain and the USA make up Pool C while Argentina, Egypt, Germany, Pakistan are in Pool D.

Germany are the most successful team in the junior World Cup with six titles. India have won the title twice, including the last edition in 2016 held in Lucknow.

Some of the big names skipping the 2021 FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup include Australia, New Zealand and England. The teams decided to withdraw due to COVID-related international travel restrictions.

Groups for 2021 FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup

Pool A: Belgium, Chile, Malaysia, South Africa

Pool B: India, Canada, France, Poland

Pool C: South Korea, Netherlands, Spain, USA

Pool D: Argentina, Egypt, Germany, Pakistan

India schedule, fixtures and match times for FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2021

All times are India Standard Times (IST)

November 24, Wednesday: India vs France - 7:30 PM IST

November 25, Thursday: Canada vs India - 7:30 PM IST

November 27, Saturday: India vs Poland - 7:30 PM IST

December 1, Wednesday: Quarter-final 1 - 10:30 AM IST

December 1, Wednesday: Quarter-final 2 - 1:30 PM IST

December 1, Wednesday: Quarter-final 3 - 4:30 PM IST

December 1, Wednesday: Quarter-final 4 - 7:30 PM IST

December 3, Friday: Semi-final 1- 4:30 PM IST

December 3, Friday: Semi-final 2 - 7:30 PM IST

December 5, Sunday: Final - 7:30 PM IST