India to begin 2018 Hockey World Cup campaign with South Africa

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India have been placed in the same group as Rio Olympic silver-medallist Belgium for this year's Hockey Men¿s World Cup in Bhubaneshwar as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) unveiled the pools and match schedule for the marquee event in Odisha.India, who last hosted the Hockey World Cup in 2010, will now host the prestigious tournament this year from November 28 to December 16. The 19-day competition will see sixteen of the world¿s best men¿s international hockey teams take to the field at the Kalinga Stadium for the coveted trophy.

The 16 teams have been split into four pools of four, with Rio 2016 Olympic champions Argentina competing in Pool A alongside New Zealand, Spain and France, while reigning world champions Australia will take on England, Ireland and China in Pool B. Pool C will see hosts India fight it out with Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallists Belgium, Canada and African continental champions South Africa (15) while European title holders and three-time world champions the Netherlands will take on two-time champions Germany, Malaysia and four-time champions Pakistan in a tough looking Pool D.

India will square off with South Africa in their opening match on November 28, which will be followed by the hosts' clash against Belgium and Canada on December 2 and December 8, respectively. A first-place finish in each pool will guarantee a berth in the quarter-finals, with the second and third place finishers in each pool needing to win a cross-over match, which will be played on December 10 and December 11, in order to reach the last eight. The last-eight matches will take place on December 12 and December 13. Meanwhile, the semi-finals will be played on December 15, with the bronze medal and the showpiece final scheduled to be held on December 16.

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