3 Instances When the Host Nations Won the FIH Hockey World Cup

The stage is set for the 15th edition of the Hockey World Cup. The tournament will begin on 13 January 2023. It will run until 29 January in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. The tournament will happen in two different stadiums. Belgium will look to defend the title this year after winning it in 2018.

However, it will a huge opportunity for the Men In Blue to with this edition of the World Cup at home. But, as of now, only three times teams have managed to win the World Cup at home. So, it is going to be an uphill task for team India to accomplish the same feat for the fourth time in World Cup history.  

Here are three instances when a host nation won the Hockey World Cup:

Netherlands, Hockey World Cup 1973

Netherlands (Image Source: Twitter)

The 1973 Men’s Hockey World Cup took place in the Netherlands. So, they won that edition of the tournament as the host. It was their first-ever World Cup in history. The Oranje defeated India in the final. The match ended 2-2 after full-time. Then, they defeated the Men in Blue 4-2 in the penalty shootout.

Ties Kruize from the Oranje was the highest goal-scorer in that edition with 11 goals. The Oranje finished second in Pool B while Pakistan finished at the top. Then, in the semi-final, they defeated West Germany 4-2 in the penalty shootout. With that win, the Netherlands became the first nation from Europe and the first host nation to win it.      

Netherlands, Hockey World Cup 1998

Netherlands (Image Source: Twitter)

It was Oranje once again when they won the Hockey World Cup in 1998 as the host nation. It was the third title in their history. In the final, the Oranje defeated Spain 3-2 after extra time. They finished second in Pool A while Germany finished at the top. Then, in the semi-final, they thrashed the Kookaburras 6-2.

Jay Stacy from Australia was the highest goal-scorer in that edition with 11 goals. With this win, The Dutch made history by being the only country to win a tournament at its home ground twice. It was the ninth Hockey World Cup that took place in Galgenwaard Stadium at Utrecht, Netherlands.      

Germany, Hockey World Cup 2006

Germany (Image Source: Twitter)

It was the 11th Hockey World Cup that took place in Mönchengladbach, Germany. Germany won that edition of the tournament as the host. With this win, they defended the title that they won in 2002 in Malaysia. In 2006 final, the Honamas defeated the Kookaburras 4-3 in the final. Taeke Taekema from the Oranje was the highest goal-scorer with 11 goals.

Germany topped Pool B with 11 points from five games. Then, in the semi-final, they defeated Spain 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out. The match ended 2-2 after full-time. It was the third time only when a host nation won the World Cup after Oranje did the same twice. However, it was the last World Cup that the Honamas won in their history.