The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed that England, Belgium and South Africa will host the Hockey World League Semifinals between June and July in 2017.
Two men’s and two women’s semifinals, which are Hockey World Cup 2018 qualifiers, will take place at these three locations between 15 June and 23 July, kicking off what will be a spectacular few months of international hockey.
England had already been confirmed as host of the first men’s semifinals, which will take place at London’s Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre between 15-25 June. The dates for the first women’s semifinals, in Belgium, are 21 June until 2 July, with the venue confirmed as Stade Fallon in Brussels.
The other men’s and women’s semifinals will take place between 8-23 July at the Randburg Hockey Turf in Johannesburg, South Africa. This will be the nation’s first major FIH event since the Champions Challenge was held in the same city in 2011.
Ten teams will take part in each semifinal. They will be comprised of six teams who qualify based on their FIH Hero World Ranking, while the remaining four teams will qualify through Hockey World League Round 2 events taking place earlier in 2017. In total, 20 men’s and 20 women’s teams will be taking part.
Composed of four rounds and played over two years, the Hockey World League shines a spotlight on the sport around the world. Even the smallest hockey-playing nations have the opportunity to write their own chapter in hockey’s history books.
A lot is at stake for teams participating in these Hockey World League Semifinals. While vital FIH Hero World Ranking points will be awarded depending on final standings, the top teams from each semifinal will qualify for the 2018 Hockey World Cups in India (men) and England (women) in addition to the Hockey World League Finals taking place in India (men) and New Zealand (women) later in 2017.
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