FIH Junior World Ranking: 4

How they qualified: 5th Place – FIH Hockey Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021

Junior World Cup history: 2021 – 5th, 2016 – 7th, 2013 – 3rd, 2009 – 2nd, 2005 – 5th, 2001 – 8th, 1997 – 7th, 1993 – 4th, 1989 – 9th, 1985 – 2nd, 1982 – 6th, 1979 – 3rd

Remarkably, the Netherlands are yet to win a men’s Junior World Cup title, something they will be determined to change this time around. The silver medallists from 1985 and 2009 finished fifth at the Bhubaneswar 2021 event, a result which proved enough for a ticket to the 2023 competition. The Jong Oranje arrive in KL as the continental champions of Europe thanks to a string of marvellous performances at the EuroHockey Junior Championship 2022 in Ghent, Belgium. Miles Bukkens (5) and Duco Telgenkamp (4) top scored for the Netherlands in that event, helping the team to victories over France (4-3), Austria (7-0), Spain (3-0) and Germany (3-1). Striker Telgenkamp has been making a name for himself with the Netherlands senior side in recent times, finishing top scorer (6 goals) and named young player of the tournament at the EuroHockey Championship 2023 in Mönchengladbach, Germany. Could this be the year when the Netherlands end their Men’s Junior World Cup title drought?