Paris 2024 Olympics - Indian men's hockey team placed in Pool B along with defending champions Belgium, Australia

With the Paris Olympic Games 2024 just months away, the International Hockey Federation announced the Pools for both the men's and women's hockey events. With the Indian men's team, having secured qualification by clinching gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, they are part of the 12-team event. In the men's hockey competition, India is the lone Asian qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

ALSO READ | FIH Olympic Qualifiers 2024, 3rd place match - India Women's Olympic dream ends with 1-0 loss to Japan

The men's team draws were determined based on the world rankings and due to this, India finds itself in a challenging Pool B. They will be up against defending champions Belgium (World No. 2), India (3), Tokyo Games runners-up Australia (6), Rio 2016 champions Argentina (7), New Zealand (10), and Ireland (11). As for Pool A, it includes Netherlands (1), Germany (4), Great Britain (5), Spain (8), France (9), and South Africa (12). The top four teams from each pool will advance to the quarter-final stage.

Pool A: Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, France and South Africa

Pool B: Belgium, India, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and Ireland

The Indian men's hockey team achieved a historic milestone when they clinched the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This victory marked India's first Olympic medal in hockey in 41 years.

Unfortunately, the Indian women's team missed out on qualification, finishing fourth in the Olympic Qualifiers in Ranchi last week, with only the top three teams earning a quota. They faced a 1-0 defeat against Japan. 

ALSO READ | Year-end sports special - Tracking international rankings of India's cricket, football, hockey teams and more

The Netherlands, reigning champions and four-time title-holders, have been placed in Pool A. The Dutch team currently holds the top position in the FIH rankings for women.

Pool A: Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Japan, China and France

Pool B: Australia, Argentina, Great Britain, Spain, United States and South Africa

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games is scheduled to take place from July 26 to the closing ceremony on August 11.