 "The first ever Kho Kho World Cup will be played from 13 to 19 January 2025 in New Delhi.")
The opening match of the Kho Kho World Cup, which will be played from 13 to 19 January 2025 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi, will not be between India and Pakistan as scheduled. Instead, the hosts India will take on Nepal in the opening match of the tournament on 13 January at 8.30 PM IST.
Pakistan kho kho team has not been issued visas so far, leading to their withdrawal from the opening match. “The Pakistan team is still awaiting their visas,” Kho Kho Federation of India (KFFI) Sudhanshu Mittal told the Indian Express.
The official communication from the Kho Kho Federation of India on Tuesday also did not include Pakistan as a participant in either the men’s or women’s category which means they are set to miss the World Cup.
“When we made the schedule, we had hoped for it to go as planned. But this is not really in our control, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not approved their application so we are still not sure if they can travel to play,” Geeta Sudan, COO of the Kho Kho World Cup, told the Indian Express.
Kho Kho World Cup teams
With Pakistan missing, 39 teams from across the globe will compete in the Kho Kho World Cup.
Men’s category: Group breakdown
The men’s competition features 20 teams divided into four groups:
Group A: India, Nepal, Peru, Brazil, Bhutan
Group B: South Africa, Ghana, Argentina, Netherlands, Iran
Group C: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea, USA, Poland
Group D: England, Germany, Malaysia, Australia, Kenya
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe men’s matches kick off with India facing Nepal in the mega tournament opener at 8.30 pm IST. The league stage will culminate on 16 January, followed by the playoffs beginning on 17 January.
The men’s final will take place on 19 January at 8.15 pm IST.
Women’s category: Group breakdown
The women’s competition mirrors the men’s format, with 19 teams divided into four groups:
Group A: India, Iran, Malaysia, South Korea
Group B: England, Australia, Kenya, Uganda, Netherlands
Group C: Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Germany, Bangladesh
Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Poland, Peru, Indonesia
The women’s opening match sees England taking on Australia on 14 January at 11.45 am IST. For the Indian team, their first match of the tournament is against South Korea on 14 January at 7.00 pm IST.
The group stage concludes on 16 January, paving the way for the playoffs on 17 January. The women’s final match is scheduled for 19 January at 7.00 pm IST.
Kho Kho World Cup playoff details and format
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will qualify for the quarterfinals. From there, the tournament progresses to the semifinals and finals, ensuring high-stakes competition. Fans can expect nail-biting encounters as teams battle it out for the coveted title.
This landmark event not only highlights the international appeal of Kho Kho but also celebrates the cultural heritage and athleticism that the sport embodies. With Indira Gandhi Stadium as the venue, spectators can look forward to a thrilling atmosphere of camaraderie and competition.
Kho Kho World Cup LIVE streaming
The Kho Kho World Cup matches will be broadcast on Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports First and Doordarshan. The live streaming will be available on Disney+ Hotstar.