Hockey: Instances of India hosting the World Cup in the past

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed on Thursday that it has received a bid from India to host the Men’s Hockey World Cup which is scheduled to be held in 2023. In the past, India has hosted three Hockey World Cups. This includes the 1982 World Cup held in Mumbai, Maharashtra; the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi and the 2018 Hockey World Cup held at the Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, making them strong contenders to win the hosting rights for the marquee event once again.

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1982 Men's World Cup, Mumbai

The 1982 Men's Hockey World Cup was the fifth edition of the Hockey World Cup. Pakistan won the tournament for the third time by defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final. Hosting the tournament for the first time, India failed to qualify for the semis after being ranked third behind Australia and Netherlands in the Pool A standings. Losing to both these sides ended the hosts' run after wins against Malaysia, the erstwhile Soviet Union and England. In the classification match, India beat the Soviet Union again to finish fifth in the tournament.

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2010 Men’s World Cup, New Delhi

The 2010 Men's Hockey World Cup was the 12th edition of the Men's Hockey World Cup. Australia won the tournament after defeating Germany 2–1 in the final. It was the Kangaroos' second World Cup win after their maiden title in 1986. The Netherlands won their third-place match by defeating England 4–3. Hosting the tournament for the second time, India started their campaign by thrashing Pakistan 4-1 in Delhi. However, it all went downhill from there as they lost their next three games to Australia, Spain and England before salvaging some pride with a 3-3 draw with South Africa to finish Pool B at fourth place. In the final standings, India finished eighth after losing their play-off match to Argentina 2-4.

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2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup, Bhubaneshwar.

The 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup was the 14th edition of the Hockey World Cup,  Belgium won the tournament for the first time after defeating the Netherlands 3–2 in a penalty shoot-out in the final Defending champions Australia won their third-place match by defeating England 8–1. In the quarter-finals, Netherlands beat India 2-1 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, ending the hosts' hope of winning the World Cup on home soil for the first time.

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