 "A total of 24 teams are participating in the FIH Men's Junior World Cup 2025. X/HockeyIndia")
The 2025 Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup starts Friday, November 28 in Tamil Nadu with 24 teams participating in the event. This is the biggest junior World Cup so far in terms of the number of teams.
This will be the 14th junior World Cup which is a biennial U-21 tournament where the best upcoming talent of the hockey world are in action. Germany, the most successful team with seven trophies, are the defending champions.
India, who are hosting the tournament for the fourth time in last five editions, have named a solid 18-member squad which is being coached by the legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. India won their last of two titles at this event in 2016 in Lucknow.
Check out everything you need to know ahead of India’s campaign opener in the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup 2025.
Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 groups
24 teams have been divided into six pools for four sides each. Pakistan withdrew from the tournament citing political tensions with India. The groupings are as follows:
Pool A: Canada, Germany, Ireland, South Africa
Pool B: Chile, India, Oman, Switzerland
Pool C: Argentina, People’s Republic of China, Japan, New Zealand
Pool D: Belgium, Egypt, Spain, Namibia
Pool E: Austria, England, Malaysia, Netherlands
Pool F: Australia, Bangladesh, France, Republic of Korea
Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 format
Every team will play the other three sides in their group once and the winner of each group will qualify for the quarterfinals. Two second-placed teams with best group stage record will also advance to the last eight.
The four remaining second-placed teams and the four best third-ranked teams play the 9 to 16th place playoffs and the remaining sides go head to head in the 17 to 24th place games.
After the group stage knockout format will be used.
All the matches will be staged at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai, and the Madurai International Hockey Stadium.
Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 India schedule
November 28, Friday: India vs Chile - 8:30 PM
November 29, Saturday: India vs Oman - 8:00 PM
December 2, Tuesday: India vs Switzerland - 8:00 PM
Depending on where India finish in the group stage, the next match-ups and timings for the next rounds will be decided.
Quarterfinals, semifinals and other classification games to decide which team finishes on which position will take place from December 4-9 while the final is scheduled for December 10.
Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 India squad
India announced their squad for the junior World Cup on November 14. Despite Araijeet Singh Hundal missing out due to an injury, the hosts have named a strong team for the tournament.
Goalkeepers: Bikramjit Singh, Princedeep Singh
Defenders: Rohit (captain), Talem Priyobarta, Anmol Ekka, Amir Ali, Sunil Palakshappa Bennur, Shardanand Tiwari
Midfielders: Ankit Pal, Thounaojam Ingalemba Luwang, Adrohit Ekka, Rosan Kujur, Manmeet Singh, Gurjot Singh
Forwards: Arshdeep Singh, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Ajeet Yadav, Dilraj Singh
Standbys: Ravneet Singh, Rohit Kullu
Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 live streaming
The Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website in India.
Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 TV broadcast
The Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 will be available to watch on the Star Sports Network TV channels.