Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has reacted to the Pakistan men’s hockey team after their dramatic qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026.

 

Taking to his X account, he wrote, "Zindabad! the Hockey Federation has been a hub of looting for many years. Every official who came took whatever they could and never let go. The new leadership will have to take accountability of the past 15 years."

 

The Pakistan men’s national field hockey team on Saturday secured their spot in the World Cup after a thrilling 4–3 win over Japan national field hockey team in the semi-final of the qualifiers.

 

زندہ باد ۔ ھاکی فیڈریشن کئی سالوں سے لوٹ مار کا بازار تھا ۔ جو عہدیدار آتا تھا جپھا مار لیتا چھوڑتا نہیں تھا۔نئی قیادت کو گزشتہ 15 سال کا حساب لینا ھو گا۔ https://t.co/BmknWFqEIk

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) March 8, 2026

 

Pakistan staged a stunning comeback in the final quarter, overturning a 3–1 deficit to seal the victory and confirm their return to the prestigious tournament. 

 

The team last competed in the FIH Hockey World Cup in 2018.

 

The team’s recent success comes after a month of controversy. Upon returning from the Australia tour earlier this year, captain Butt accused the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and team management of lying to players, silencing their concerns, and subjecting them to poor living conditions.

 

Following the uproar, PHF president Mir Tariq Hussain Bugti resigned. The players then met with Mohsin Naqvi, who assured them of his support and awarded each player one million rupees as recognition for their efforts.