Chennai, Nov 23 (LatestNewsX) – The vibe in the city is electric now that Oman, France and Switzerland have landed, preparing for the 2025 FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu. The tournament, running from November 28 to December 10 across Chennai and Madurai, features 24 teams and will be the largest Junior World Cup ever.
Oman will step onto the world stage for the first time, marking a historic moment for the nation’s hockey program. They’re grouped in Pool B with hosts India, Switzerland and Chile, and will kick off their campaign against Switzerland on November 28 in Chennai. Coach Mohammed Bait Jandal said, “It’s our first time participating in this prestigious competition, and our aim is to give our very best and make the most of the experience. We know we will be playing against top teams like India, and we hope to learn from these high‑level matches and apply those lessons in the games that follow. Many of us are fans of Indian hockey and follow them closely in international tournaments, so facing them will certainly be a challenging moment for our players. But they are determined to give everything on the field and grow in terms of skill and structure. As for the other teams in our Pool, we have our strategies prepared, and we will focus on executing them to the best of our ability.”
France arrives as a perennial powerhouse, having finished as runners‑up in 2013 and 2023 and taking bronze in 2021. Their aim this year is a championship. Placed in Pool F with Australia, Bangladesh and Korea, they’ll open their tournament against Korea on November 29 in Chennai. Coach Matthias Dierckens highlighted, “After winning a Bronze and then a silver medal in recent editions, our ambition is naturally to compete for the ultimate prize this time. This tournament holds great prestige for us. We are aware, however, that this squad is younger than the one we had previously. They are equally talented, but perhaps not as experienced or fully developed yet. Still, we know that on our best days, we are capable of beating any team. Our first priority is to navigate the group stage successfully. I have encouraged the players to enjoy this opportunity, especially as they are competing in one of the world’s great hockey nations, but also to remain focused and committed to delivering their very best.”
Switzerland, too, is making its debut. Drawn into Pool B alongside India, Oman and Chile, they’ll face Oman in their opening game on November 28 in Chennai. Coach Jair Levie expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s an incredible experience for us to be here in one of the largest hockey playing nations in the world. Making our debut at the Junior Hockey World Cup is a historic moment for Switzerland, and the entire team is genuinely excited. We’ve prepared well, we’re confident in our work, and we’re here to exceed expectations. For many of our players, playing in India — and against India — is a dream come true. It will be a fantastic challenge, and we look forward to making it a tough match. We’re here to show India, and the world, what Switzerland is capable of.”
With all three squads now in Chennai, the buzz only grows as the countdown to what is expected to be a thrilling and historic edition of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 marches on.
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