By Urdu Report Editorial Team
Amstelveen: Pakistan’s campaign at the 2026 Hockey World Cup has come to an end with the national team securing 11th position. Pakistan defeated South Africa in a thrilling classification match after the contest ended 4-4 in regulation time and was decided by a shootout.
Pakistan won the shootout 4-3, with former captain Imad Butt scoring the decisive goal to seal victory for the national side.
After completing their World Cup mission, the Pakistan hockey team will depart from the Netherlands for Pakistan tomorrow, with the players beginning their journey back home.
Pakistan returned to the Hockey World Cup after an eight-year absence. In the group stage, the national team lost 4-1 to England in its opening match, while the second game against Wales ended in a 3-3 draw. Pakistan then suffered a 3-1 defeat against traditional rivals India in its final group match.
Following the group stage, Pakistan entered the classification round and produced an impressive performance against Japan, securing a 4-3 victory. However, New Zealand defeated Pakistan 4-2 in the following match.
The result set up a 11th-place playoff against South Africa, where Pakistan eventually secured victory after a 4-4 draw in regulation time and a 4-3 shootout win.
Pakistan’s 11th-place finish at the 2026 World Cup is the team’s best position in the tournament in the past 20 years. Pakistan finished sixth at the 2006 World Cup, while the national team finished 12th in both 2010 and 2018.
Pakistan failed to qualify for the 2014 and 2023 World Cups.
With a successful return to the global stage after a long absence, Pakistan ended its 2026 World Cup campaign on a winning note by defeating South Africa. The national team will now leave the Netherlands for Pakistan tomorrow.
