Lahore, August 5, 2026: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Wednesday announced a 20-member national squad and team management for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, and Belgium, from August 15 to 30.
Having secured qualification for the prestigious tournament, Pakistan will return to hockey’s biggest international stage with a squad that combines experienced internationals and emerging young talent in a bid to make a strong impact.
The squad includes Waqar, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Moeen Shakeel, Abdul Waheed Ashraf Rana, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Zakaria Hayat, Arshad Liaqat, Adeel Latif, Ahmad Nadeem, Ghazanfar Ali, Imad Shakeel Butt, Muhammad Hamaduddin Anjum, Rehman Abdul, Afraz, Umar Mustafa, Abu Bakar Mahmood, Ali Raza, Abdul Matan, and Muhammad Imad.
The two goalkeepers selected for the tournament are Waqar and Ali Raza.
The PHF also announced the team’s support staff, with Muhammad Owais Qarni serving as Team Manager. The coaching staff will be led by Dutch Head Coach Bob Johan Veldhof, assisted by Christopher John Bowen of Great Britain and Adnan Zakir, while Ashraf Sultan will serve as the team’s Video Technician.
The squad announcement comes just a week after the federation appointed Abu Bakar Mahmood as the new captain of the national men’s hockey team, ending Ammad Butt’s 14-year tenure as skipper.
In a statement issued on July 29, the PHF said Abu Bakar’s appointment was made on the recommendation of its Professional Development Committee. The federation praised Ammad Butt for his long-standing service and leadership, confirming that the experienced midfielder would remain an integral part of the national squad as a senior player.
The PHF expressed confidence that Abu Bakar’s leadership, supported by experienced campaigners and talented young players, would help Pakistan develop into a more competitive unit on the international stage.
Pakistan will be aiming to revive its rich hockey legacy at the World Cup, with the tournament providing an important opportunity for the Green Shirts to re-establish themselves among the world’s leading hockey nations.
