Top 5 amazing facts about Men’s Hockey World Cup

The 15th edition of the Men’s Hockey World Cup will happen in India in 2023. The tournament will run until 29 January from 13 January. Belgium was the champion in the last edition. However, the tournament kicked off in 1971 in Pakistan. But, in this upcoming edition, the Green Machines will not play.

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All Hockey fans are eagerly waiting to see their favorite players in action in this tournament. But, there are some amazing facts that have astonished fans all over the years. However, some facts will amaze fans as those are even related to the Hockey World Cup trophy.      

Here are the top five amazing facts about Men’s Hockey World Cup: 

1. Pakistan have won the most titles

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Pakistan (Image Source: Twitter)

The Green Machines are the most successful team in the history of the Hockey World Cup with four titles. Currently, Pakistan are the 17th-ranked team in the world. They are the third-highest goal-scoring nations in the history of the World Cup. Pakistan have scored 235 goals in 89 matches so far.

They won the titles in 1971, 1978, 1982, and 1994 respectively. Pakistan defeated Spain in 1971 final. In the world cups in 1978 and 1982, they defeated the Netherlands and West Germany respectively. In their last World Cup winning campaign in 1994, they defeated the Oranje in the final. They defeated the Dutch 4-3 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after full-time. 

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2. Pakistan’s Nur Khan made his proposition of the World Cup

Nur Khan (Image Source: Twitter)

First Hockey World Cup took place in 1971. But, it was Pakistan Hockey Federation chief Air Marshal Nur Khan who came up with the idea of this tournament. He made the proposition to the International Hocket Federation via the editor of the World Hockey Magazine, Patrick Rowley. 

On 26 October 1969, the idea of the World Cup got approved. Then, the International Hocket Federation adopted the idea at a meeting in Brussels on 12 April 1970. Finally, the inaugural edition of the Hockey World Cup happened in Pakistan in 1971. However, the host nation only managed to win that edition. 

3. Bashir Moojid designed the Hockey World Cup trophy

World Cup winning moment in 2018 (Image Source: Twitter)

Another amazing fact in the history of the Hockey World Cup is the design of the World Cup trophy. Pakistan’s Air Marshall, Bashir Moojid created the Hockey World Cup trophy. First, Pakistan's ambassador, Mr. H.E Masood handed that trophy to the president of the International Hockey Federation, Rene Frank on 27  March 1971.

Mr. Moojid designed the trophy with a silver cup and an intricate floral design, surmounted by a globe of the world in silver and gold. The trophy’s peak is a model hockey stick and ball. Including the base, the trophy stands 650mm high, without the base the trophy is 120.85mm high. The total weight of the trophy is 11,560g, which includes  895g of gold, 6,815g of silver, 350g of ivory, and 3,500g of teak.            

4. Pakistan are not participating in the 2023 Hockey World Cup

Pakistan (Image Source: Twitter)

The Green Machines have won this World Cup for the most number of times in their history. Pakistan have won it four times so far. But, they are not going to participate in the upcoming 2023 Hockey World Cup. They failed to seal their place among the top four places in the Asia Cup 2022. 

Regarding that, a member of the World Cup-winning squad in 1994, Khawaja Junaid said: "It is really sad that Pakistan is not among the 16 teams competing in the World Cup. We couldn't have asked for a better chance to qualify for the event. It was a piece of cake, yet we missed it. As a former world champion, I feel really sad and disappointed not to see Pakistan as one of the competing teams in India."      

5. The Netherlands are more successful in Hockey than Football

Netherlands (Image Source: Twitter)

The Oranje are one of the most decorated teams in the history of the Hockey World Cup. They have won the titles thrice so far in their history. The Netherlands have won it in 1973, 1990, and 1998 respectively. However, apart from Hockey, the Netherlands are also a very well-known team in Football.

But, they have failed to win the FIFA World Cup as of now in their history. So far, they have qualified for the final thrice. But, they ended up losing all three finals. Hence, it is quite an amazing fact that the Dutch are more successful in Hockey than Football. In the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2022, they lost against Argentina in the quarter-final.