FIH Junior World Ranking: 8

How they qualified: Host nation

Junior World Cup history: 2021 – 8th, 2016 – 11th, 2013 – 4th, 2009 – 12th, 2005 – 10th, 2001 – 12th, 1993 – 11th, 1989 – 6th, 1985 – 10th,1982 – 4th, 1979 – 4th

Hosting the competition for a fourth time after staging the Kuala Lumpur 1982, Ipoh 1989 and Johor Bahru 2009 (co-hosted with Singapore), Malaysia will be keen to take full advantage of the familiar surroundings provided by the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium. The Junior Speedy Tigers have come agonisingly close to medalling at three previous editions, finishing fourth in 1979, 1982 and 2013. They also finished fourth at the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 in Salalah, Oman earlier this year, reaching the semi-finals thanks to wins over Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Korea and Oman before Pakistan and Korea edged them in the respective semi-final and bronze medal matches. Shahmie Irfan Suhaimi scored six times for Malaysia in that competition, with Perabu Tangaraja netting five. While a seventh place finish at the recent Sultan of Johor Cup was disappointing, the team coached by former Malaysia international Amin Ramin has the talent to make a big impression on this Junior World Cup.