FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s WC 2023: Argentina-South Africa to open the show

The 2016 Olympic Gold medallists Argentina and Africa’s highest-ranked nation South Africa will open the 2023 FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup.

The thrilling encounter between these two powerhouses of international hockey will take place on 13 January 2023 in the iconic Kalinga Stadium of Bhubaneswar, which hosted the last Men’s World Cup final in 2018.

The second match of the day in Bhubaneswar will see world’s number one Australia taking on France, in a repeat of the 2018 World Cup quarter-final.

Later on the same day, the brand-new Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela will host its first-ever FIH World Cup matches, starting with a “derby” between England and Wales, followed by the local heroes of India playing in front of their home fans against Spain.

All teams will play in both venues.

In total, 44 matches will be played, with the Final scheduled on 29 January (7pm local time) in Bhubaneswar.