Four new turfs laid for 2023 FIH men’s hockey World Cup | Hockey News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: To make the 2023 FIH men’s hockey World Cup a successful marquee event, four new turfs have been laid in the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar and Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela.
The top 16 teams from around the world, including hosts India, will compete in the prestigious event which will be played across the two venues from January 13 to 29 next year.
The 16 teams have been divided into four pools, with India in Pool D alongside England, Spain, and Wales.
The main pitch in the state-of-the-art Kalinga Stadium, as well as the practice pitch, has been re-laid, while the matches at the Birsa Munda Stadium will be played in brand new pitches certified by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
“Matches will be played in the new jewel of hockey, the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, and at the iconic Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar, where so many wonderful pages of hockey’s history have been written,” Hockey India said in a statement.

The top four teams from each pool will advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the remaining eight teams from the four pools will compete in cross-over matches for a spot in the last-eight round.
Pool A includes Argentina, Australia, France, and South Africa, while Pool B consists of Belgium, Germany, Korea, and Japan. Pool C includes the Netherlands, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Chile.
Bhubaneswar will host 24 matches, including the cross-overs, quarterfinals, semifinals and final, while Rourkela will host 20, with India playing the first two league matches on January 13 and 16.
(With inputs from PTI)