2018 FIH Hockey World Cup to Extend to 24 Teams

November 1, 2012

International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Leandro Negre has revealed that the 2018 hockey World Cup will be a 24-team affair although the host has yet to be picked.

Negre, cialis who is in Kuala Lumpur for the 43rd FIH congress which began today, said during a press conference that Malaysia has excellent world-class hockey stadiums and facilities to host the World Cup.

The Spaniard named Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Ipoh, Kuantan and Malacca as the venues where World Cup matches can be played when the tournament is expanded to 24 teams.

The next World Cup in 2014, which will held in Holland, will remain a 12-team affair.

Asked on the reasons for having 24 teams for the 2018 World Cup, Negre said: “FIH is determined to take the sport to all corners of the world.

“We want to promote the sport throughout the world. Hockey is a very popular sport in Europe and Asia. But we aim to take the sport to the other parts of the world, especially in South America.

“Mexico is a good place to promote hockey as the country has a big TV audience. There is a big following of the sport in Mexico. FIH want to see more countries playing in the World Cup.”

Negre is also happy to see Brazil who will host the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, are doing their best to improve the standard of their men’s and women’s hockey teams.

“This is good for the development of hockey in South America. It is nice to see Brazil doing their best for hockey.”