Men’s Hockey World Cup records and statistics you must know

Every four years, the top hockey teams in the world compete for the biggest prize in the sport - the Hockey World Cup.

The inaugural edition of the Men’s Hockey World Cup was held in 1971 in Barcelona, Spain. Pakistan defeated the hosts Spain in the final to become the first men’s hockey world champions.

In 2023, India is hosting the 15th edition of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in Odisha, becoming the first country to host back-to-back hockey World Cups.

Here’s a list of Hockey World Cup statistics and records every hockey fan must know.

Most successful team at hockey World Cup

The Pakistani men’s hockey team, with four titles in 14 editions, are the most successful nation at the Hockey World Cup.

The Green Shirts won three of the first five Hockey World Cups in 1971, 1978 and 1982. Their last triumph came in 1994 at Sydney, Australia. Pakistan also finished as runners-up in 1975 and 1990.

The Netherlands (1973, 1990, 1998) and Australia (1986, 2010, 2014) have won three World Cup titles each.

Germany, with consecutive World Cup titles in 2002 and 2006, are the only other team to have won the coveted trophy multiple times.

India (1975) and Belgium (2018) complete the six-team list of Hockey World Cup winners.

Most medals at hockey World Cup

Three-time champions Australia claimed silver at the 2002 and 2006 editions and won bronze medals in 1978, 1982, 1990, 1994 and 2018. With 10 medals, Australia are the most-decorated team at the hockey World Cup in terms of podium finishes.

The Netherlands, with three gold medals, four silvers and two bronze, come next.

Most World Cup matches

In the first 14 editions combined, 605 matches were played. The Netherlands have featured in exactly 100 of them, winning 61.

India are second, having played 95 matches and winning 40 of them. Pakistan have played 89 matches, winning 51.

As many as 44 matches will be played at the 15th edition of the FIH Hockey World Cup in Odisha.

Most wins by team at hockey World Cup

Australia, with 69 wins from 92 matches, have won the most number of matches at the Men’s Hockey World Cup. Australia also conceded just 107 goals in their 92 games, at a commendable average of just 1.16 goals per game.

Longest winning streak by a team at hockey World Cup

Australia's 11-0 win against China in 2018 broke Pakistan’s record 15-match winning streak set during the 1978 and 1982 World Cups. Australia’s winning streak started at the 2010 World Cup and was finally halted at 17 by the Netherlands in the 2018 semi-finals.

How many countries have played at the Hockey World Cup

As many as 26 countries have played at least once in the first 14 editions of the hockey World Cup. Chile and Wales made their debut at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023, taking the number to 28.

Most team goals at hockey World Cup

With 305 goals in 92 matches, Australia hold the record for scoring the most goals at the FIH World Cup. The Netherlands boast the second-best offensive record with 267 goals followed by Pakistan with 235.

As many as 2,433 goals were scored in a total of the 605 matches in the first 14 editions of the World Cups, averaging nearly four goals per match.

Most goals scored in a single game at hockey World Cup

Eventual champions Pakistan hammered 12 goals against New Zealand during the preliminary round of the 1982 Hockey World Cup, which is the joint-highest by a team. New Zealand scored three in return making it the highest goal-scoring men’s hockey World Cup match with 15 goals.

Biggest win in hockey World Cup

The Netherlands hammered debutants Chile 14-0 at the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup with Jip Janssen and skipper Thierry Brinkman scoring hat-tricks. Australia’s 12-0 win over South Africa in 2010 comes second.

Which country has hosted the most hockey World Cups

India became the first country to host back-to-back men’s hockey World Cups in 2018 and 2023. Additionally, India hosted the World Cup in 2010 and 1982, making it the nation which has hosted the tournament the most number of times (4).

In all, the Hockey World Cup has been held in nine different countries. The Netherlands (1973, 1998) and Germany (2006) are the only teams to have won the World Cup as hosts. Spain, England, and Pakistan and Australia are the other nations who had the honour of hosting the men’s hockey World Cup.

Most appearances by a team at hockey World Cup

The Indian men’s hockey team, the Netherlands and Spain are the only teams to have appeared in all the 15th editions of the hockey World Cup for men.

Pakistan have appeared in the 13 editions, after failing to qualify for the 2014 and 2023 editions. Argentina, Australia and England will play their 14th World Cups each in 2023.

Highest individual goal scorer in single edition of hockey World Cup

Paul Litjens of the Netherlands scored 15 goals in the 1978 edition of the Hockey World Cup, including a goal in the final against Pakistan in a losing cause. It is the most goals scored by a player in a single edition of the World Cup. He was also the top goal-scorer at the 1976 Olympic Games.