Muscat – Muscat is gearing up to host the inaugural FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup 2 from February 17 to 23 at Oman Hockey Stadium in Amerat. The tournament will feature eight teams competing for a chance to secure a place in the 2026 FIH Nations Cup.

The event provides a platform for emerging hockey nations ranked below those participating in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup. It offers them an opportunity to compete at a higher level and gain international exposure.

Oman captain Rashad al Fazari described the opportunity to compete in tournament as a milestone for his team. “Participating in the inaugural FIH Nations Cup 2 is a significant moment for us, particularly as we’ll encounter some teams for the first time. Hosting this tournament and competing before our home crowd fills us with immense pride and motivation.”

Emphasising the importance of the event in developing the sport, Tayyab Ikram, President of FIH, said, “The FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 offers a unique opportunity for teams ranked just below the FIH Hockey Nations Cup to showcase their talent in a global competition. This new event enables us to further promote growth and competitiveness within the sport and bring international exposure to more countries. I am sure their performances will set a new benchmark for future editions of the competition.”

Divided into two groups, the eight teams include Egypt, Chile, China and Poland in Pool A, and Austria, Oman, Scotland and the United States in Pool B. These teams bring diverse playing styles, setting the stage for an exciting competition. The tournament will begin with pool matches, with each team playing against every other in their group. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals, leading to the final on February 23, where the first-ever FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup 2 champion will be crowned.