2021 MEN’S & WOMEN’S JUNIOR WORLD CUP – QUALIFICATIONS & FORMAT

Good Afternoon Everyone...

Today I would like to write about the upcoming 2021 FIH Junior World Cup and provide some latest development and the processes. 

The 2021 Men's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup - 16 Teams will be the 12th edition and it will be held in India from 24 November to 5 December 2021. Most probably it will be held in Odisha in sports bubble system.  India are the defending champions.

The 2021 Women's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup will be the 9^th edition of the Women's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup, and it will be held from 5 to 16 December 2021 in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Argentina are the defending champions and didn’t qualify for 2021 edition. Unbelievable!

What is interesting is the ongoing Junior Pan American Championship 2021 (M) held in Santiago where Chile Jnrs won the Championship by beating Argentina 1 - 1 (3-2 SO) and both teams qualified. Canada didn’t qualify for 2021 Jnr Men’s World Cup.

On Women Jnrs, Canada won the Championship beating Uruguay 1-0 and USA beat Chile 1 - 1 (3-2 SO). The top 3 teams that qualifies are Canada, Uruguay & USA.

Chile Men Jnrs & Uruguay Women Jnrs made it to 2021 Junior World Cup. It’s a historical achievements for both teams.

Uruguay Women Jnrs for the first time qualified for FIH Women’s Junior World Cup since 1989. And Chile Men’s Jnr making a return to Junior World Cup after missing in 2013 & 2016.

As for the Qualifications – only 2 Continental held their Championship – Euro & Pan Am. Other 3 – Asia, Ocenia & Africa decided on the teams. As for African – Men’s Jnr South Africa & Egypt & Women’s Jnr South Africa & Zimbabwe qualified. Asia used an unprecedented & unorthodox method to seed the teams as couldn’t host a qualifier where as for Mens Jnr India, Pakistan, Malaysia & Korea qualified and as for Women Jnr is China, India & Japan. Malaysia out & has never played in Women’s Junior World Cup since 1989. Oceania 2 slots will be Austrialia & N Zealand for Men & Women Jnrs.

Overall Qualified Teams:

Men’s Jnr – 16 Teams

Host -India with 3 Asia – Pakistan, Korea & Malaysia

6 European teams - Spain, Netherlands, Germany, England, Belgium & France

2 Pan Am – Argentina & Chile

2 Oceania – Australia & N Zealand

2 Africa – S Africa & Egypt

Women’s Jnr – 16 Teams

Host –S Africa with Zimbabwe

6 European teams - Spain, Netherlands, Germany, England, Belgium & Russia

3 Pan Am – Canada USA & Uruguay

2 Oceania – Australia & N Zealand

3 Asia – China India Japan

All players shall be under 21 years of age as of 31 December 2020 that is all players shall be born on or after 1 January 2000.

How Groupings will be done? The format will be 4 Pool of 4 teams each and seeding will be done based on Senior World rankings:

Pool A                   Pool B                   Pool C                    Pool D

WR 1                      WR 2                    WR 3                     WR 4

WR 8                      WR 7                    WR 6                     WR 5

WR 9                      WR10                   WR11                     WR 12

WR 16                    WR15                   WR14                     WR 13

There will be a total of 48 matches. 

• Top 2 from each group qualifies for QF and 3^rd 4^th in Pool plays for 9^th to 16^th placing. 

3 pool matches for each team - 24 matches

Quarter-finals & classification matches, places 9-16 - 16 matches 

Semi-finals & classification matches, places 5-8 - 6 matches 

Gold & bronze medal match - 2 matches

My next article will be about the obligation to host the 2023 Men's Junior World Cup in Malaysia. 

Thanking you and stay safe always...