Coach PR Sreejesh Welcomes Challenge as India Draws Pakistan, Chile, Switzerland in Junior World Cup Pool

India Junior Men’s Hockey Team coach PR Sreejesh has shared an optimistic yet measured response following the announcement of the pools for the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025. The tournament, set for its 14th edition, will for the first time feature an expanded field of 24 teams, marking a significant evolution from its previous 16-team format.

Placed in Pool B alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, as well as Chile and Switzerland, India faces a dynamic group stage. “Our Pool B presents a good challenge, with Pakistan, Chile, and Switzerland,” said Sreejesh on Monday. “While I expect the match against Pakistan to be particularly interesting, the tournament will really begin from the quarterfinal stage. So, we’ll take it one game at a time and focus on collecting as many points as possible to secure a favourable quarterfinal spot.”

The structure of the 2025 edition sees the top two teams from each of the six pools progressing to the quarterfinals. From there, the tournament adopts a knockout format leading up to the semifinals and final.

Reflecting on the significance of the expanded format, Sreejesh added, “This is the first time the Junior World Cup will feature 24 teams, and we’re planning our preparations accordingly. Playing in this new format will be very exciting.”

India enters the tournament with a point to prove after finishing fourth in the 2023 edition, narrowly missing a podium finish. The country’s junior hockey legacy includes two World Cup titles, in 2001 and 2016, and the team will be eager to return to the top of the podium.

Meanwhile, defending champions Germany will once again be the team to beat. With a record seven titles to their name, Germany continues to dominate the tournament’s history and enters 2025 as the favourite.

For Sreejesh and his young squad, the path to success will demand consistency, composure, and sharp tactical execution—especially in the high-stakes environment of a newly expanded tournament. The clash against Pakistan is set to be a highlight of the group stage, promising to reignite one of hockey’s most storied rivalries.

As India eyes a strong start in Pool B, all focus remains on preparation, strategy, and progressing step by step in a tournament that could define the next generation of Indian hockey talent.