Overview
- Pakistan secured qualification by beating Japan 4-3 in Ismailia, overturning a 3-1 deficit with three fourth‑quarter goals and a late penalty‑stroke save by goalkeeper Ali Raza.
- The scorers in the semi-final were Muhammad Imad, Abubakar Mahmood, Sufyan Khan and Afraz, each netting once.
- The victory ended an eight-year absence from the World Cup, with Pakistan last appearing in 2018 after missing the previous edition.
- England defeated Pakistan 4-1 in the qualifying tournament final at the SCA Hockey Stadium, with both teams already assured of World Cup places from their semi-final wins.
- Pakistan went unbeaten through the group stage and semi-final for four straight wins, and PHF officials say the team will tour Belgium and England for FIH Pro League fixtures in June before the Aug. 14–30 World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.