The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has launched the Hockey World League, featuring national teams from across five continents.
The four-round, two-year event will serve as the qualifier for both the Hockey World Cup and the Olympic Games and will be an all-inclusive, worldwide event that involves a number of nations taking part in FIH events on an international level
The first round, made up of 11 tournaments, started this week in the Czech Republic when the Scotland and Turkey women’s national teams met.
In total, men’s and women’s national teams from over 60 nations will take part in the first edition of the Hockey World League.
For 19 of the countries, it will be their first-ever appearance in an FIH competition
"This is a two-tiered approach," said FIH CEO, Kelly Fairweather.
"Not only does it give the FIH a clear qualification structure for the World Cup and Olympics, but it also provides a massive development opportunity for all areas of hockey."
The FIH is in discussions with potential title sponsors for the World League.
