The stage is set for the Hockey World Cup 2023 which is being organised in Odisha. A total of 16 teams from across the world have qualified for the marquee tournament will be seen battling out for the ultimate glory. The 15th edition of the Hockey World Cup will be hosted in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela as the tournament will be played between January 13 to January 29. The opening day will see Argentina locking horns with South Africa, Australia taking on France, England facing Wales and India fighting with Spain.
Out of all the 16 teams who will be going all guns blazing in a bid to taste the ultimate glory, four are from Asia (India, Korea, Malaysia, Korea), seven from Europe (Spain, France, Wales, England, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany), two from South America (Chile and Argentina), two from Australia ( Australia and New Zealand) and one from Africa (South Africa).
Let's have a look at the FIH rankings of all the 16 teams who will be competing in the showpiece event.
1. Australia- The three-time World champions, Australia are currently on top of the rankings with 3053.63 points having won the Commonwealth Games gold thrashing India 7-0 and later defeating the Men in Blue in four out of the five Test match series.
2. Belgium- The defending World champions are second placed with its FIH Pro League ups and downs. The Red Lions’ performance in the league reflected by dropping one spot, before defeating Argentina 4-2 and returning to status quo with 2857.72 points.
3. Netherlands - Netherlands are at no.3 in the world rankings with 2722.68 points. They have clinched the World Cup title thrice as the last time they emerged champions was back in 1998.
4. Germany – Germany are no.4 in the FIH World Rankings with 2623.30 points. They have won the World Cup title twice as the last time they became world champions was back in 2006.
5. England – They are no.5 in the world rankings with 2497.91 points. They have been part of the World Cup for a long time but haven't won a single title so far. There were the runners-up in 1986.
6. India- Team India, who are the hosts this time around, is no.6 in the world rankings with 2485.68 points. They have one World Cup title in their pocket which came in 1975.
7. Argentina - Currently this team is no.7 in the world rankings with 2245.59 points. Argentina haven't won a single World Cup title so far, however, they bagged bronze in 2014 which was their best performance.
8. Spain – They are no.8 in the FIH rankings with 2120.35 points. They haven't won the title but they were the finalists in 1971 and 1998.
9. New Zealand - They are no.9 world ranking with 1918.18 rating points.
10. Korea - They are no.10 in the world ranking with 1853.02 points. They were ranked fourth in 2002 and 2006.
11. Malaysia - There are eleventh in the FIH ranking with 1840.08 rating points. Malaysia secured fourth position in 1975, which was their best performance.
12. France – This European team has 12th rank. He has 1767.17 rating points. Achieved seventh position in 1990, which is the best performance till date.
13. South Africa - They are 14th in the FIH rankings with 1653.04 points. South Africa have been ranked 10th thrice, which is their best performance.
14. Wales- This team is 15th in the FIH standings with 1634.40 points as they are participating in the World Cup for the first time.
15. Japan - Japan are 16th in the FIH rankings with 1543.77 rating points. This team has reached the ninth position twice in the World Cup.
16. Chile - Chile are 22nd in FIH ranking with 1209.28 points and are playing World Cup for the first time.