Following the conclusion of the men’s and women’s Africa Cup for Nations continental championship in Nairobi, Kenya, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is pleased to announce that the full line-up for next summer’s Rabobank Hockey World Cup in the Hague (NED) is now known.
On Saturday (23rd November), the men’s and women’s national teams of South Africa became the final qualifiers for the showpiece event thanks to a string of impressive performances at the African continental championship.
Like all of the continental championships, the big prize on offer for the winners of the Africa Cup for Nations tournaments was direct qualification to the World Cup. South Africa men sealed their ticket to The Hague when they overcame a strong challenge from Egypt to win the final 2-0, while South Africa women secured their World Cup berth by overturning a two goal deficit to defeat Ghana 3-2.
Between 31st May and 15th June 2014, the newly-crowned African champions will be competing against the world’s finest hockey nations in The Hague’s hugely impressive Kyocera Stadium. The 15,000 capacity venue will be the perfect stage as the world’s greatest teams and most skilful players fight it out in the toughest, most competitive international hockey event imaginable. The Hockey World Cup is held every four years and ranks alongside the Olympic Games the most coveted, cherished prize in the sport.
More information about the qualifiers and the qualifying process for the Rabobank Hockey World Cup can be found below.
Rabobank Hockey World Cup – Men’s Qualifiers
Netherlands: Hosts.
Germany: Continental Champions Europe
Argentina: Continental Champions Pan America
Korea: Continental Champions Asia
Australia: Continental Champions Oceania
South Africa: Continental Champions Africa
England: 3rd place – Hockey World League Semi-Final, Johor Bahru (MAS)
Belgium: 1st place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED)
New Zealand: 4th place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED) *
Spain: 5th place – Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED). **
Malaysia: 5th place – Hockey World League Semi-Final, Johor Bahru (MAS) ***
India: 6th place – Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED) ****
* Netherlands finished third in the Hockey World League Semi-Final event in Rotterdam. As they are already pre-qualified as the host, this meant that the highest ranked fourth place finisher from both Semi-Final events earned direct qualification to the Rabobank Hockey World Cup. This place was given to New Zealand, who were fourth in Rotterdam and higher ranked than Korea at the time the event took place.
** Spain qualified as second reserve courtesy of Germany’s victory in the TriFinance EuroHockey Championships. Spain (5th in Rotterdam) were named second reserve ahead of Malaysia (5th in Johor Bahru) courtesy of a superior placing in the FIH World Rankings at the time that the event took place.
*** Malaysia qualified as third reserve courtesy of Korea’s victory in the Asia Cup 2013.
**** India qualified as fourth reserve courtesy of Australia’s victory in the Oceania Cup 2013
Rabobank Hockey World Cup – Women’s Qualifiers.
Netherlands: Hosts
Germany: Continental Champions Europe
Argentina: Continental Champions Pan America
Japan: Continental Champions Asia
Australia: Continental Champions Oceania
South Africa: Continental Champions Africa
England: 2nd place – Investec Hockey World League Semi-Final, London (ENG)
Korea: 3rd place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED)
New Zealand: 4th place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED) *
China: 4th place – Investec Hockey World League Semi-Final, London (ENG) **
USA: 5th place – Investec Hockey World League Semi-Final, London (ENG) ***
Belgium: 6th place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi Final, Rotterdam (NED) ****
* Netherlands finished second in the Hockey World League Semi-Final event in Rotterdam. As they are already pre-qualified as the host, this meant that the highest ranked fourth place finisher from both Semi-Final events earned direct qualification to the Rabobank Hockey World Cup. This place was given to New Zealand, who were fourth in Rotterdam and higher ranked than China at the time the event took place.
** China qualified as first reserve courtesy of Germany’s victory in the TriFinance EuroHockey Championships.
*** With second reserves Japan and the already qualified Argentina winning the respective continental championships in Asia and Pan America, the World Cup ticket was handed to third reserves USA.
**** Belgium qualified as fourth reserve courtesy of Australia’s victory in the Oceania Cup 2013
About the International Hockey Federation (FIH)
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is the world governing body for the sport of hockey, recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Founded in 1924, FIH today has 127 member National Associations. For further information about FIH, please visit us at:
