“I finally got the call up at 18 to play for South Africa. Like I say, dreams come true.” 🇿🇦@SA_Hockey Captain, Dayaan Cassiem, talks about the pride he gets from representing his country ⭐️

Watch the full episode of #PlayingForMyNation on the https://t.co/igjqkvA4ct app 📲 pic.twitter.com/j8ybzusaTA

— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) January 11, 2023

Argentina vs South Africa 

Argentina enter the contest as one of the favourites. The 2016 Rio Olympics champion are eyeing their first ever title in the World Cup. They have been a potent force over the years and look to take inspiration from their country’s footballers, who won the FIFA World Cup much recently. Their best finish so far in a World Cup so far is a bronze medal finish in 2014 edition.

The team will heavily rely upon their experienced trio – Agustin Mazzilli, Lucas Vila and skipper Matias Rey. They also have a good mix of youth as well and will look to continue their fast and energetic style of play. They look to begin their campaign with a victory but are wary of a South African side that recently won the Nations Cup title.

The South Africans have been performing well over the last 18 months. The Men in Green are definitely looking to better their previous year’s performance in which they finished 10th. The team has a good exhuberance of youth under the leadership of 23-year old Dayaan Caseim. Caseim, his younger brother Mustaphaa Caseim and Guy Morgan have emerged as a vital cog to the team. They were the team’s leading goal-scorers at the Nations League and are looking to continue their form against the mighty Argentinians.

Australia vs France

World No.1 Australia are looking to get their hands on their fourth World Cup title. The Kookaburras will begin their campaign against France as the overwhelming favourites. They have been on a brilliant run in the build-up to the tournament. They beat India 4-1 in a Test series recently. They also claimed their seventh title at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

Known for its attcking game style, Australia has players like Nathan Ephraums, Blake Glovers and Tom Craig who will pose a big threat against the Spanish defence in the upcoming contest.

France on the other hand are just playing their third editon of the world. However, they managed to reach the quarterfinals in the last edition and aim to better their performance. Their recent form has been great as they finished as runner-up in the Nations Cup. Victor Charlet, Timithee Clement are some of the key players for them. However their defence needs to be at their absolute best in order to restrict the Australians.

Wales have reached Rourkela and are eager to play their first match at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela.#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #HWC2023 #StarsBecomeLegends @CMO_Odisha @sports_odisha @Media_SAI @IndiaSports pic.twitter.com/bQvdhAFMA7

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) January 8, 2023

 England vs Wales

England ill take on their neighbour Wales in the first match of the World Cup. They are one of the consistent sides in Hockey. However they are yet to win a World Cup title, Their best performance so far is a silver medal in 1986. In the last three editions, the team led by Zachary Wallace managed to reach the quarterfinal. However they couldn’t go past it. This year they are aiming to better the performance and enter their opening game against Wales as the favourite.

Meanwhile, Wales will be playing their first-ever World Cup game on Thursday. However, most of their players have represented Great Britain in the past during Olympics. Wales however have been part of the Commonwealth Games. They finished the 2022 eduition at the sixth spot. The team has been consistently showing improvement and has finally made it to the World Cup. Againsg England, they look to start off well.

India vs Spain

World No.6 India is finally aiming to win a Hockey World Cup after four decades. Their only title in the event came in the year 1975. The team led by Harmanpreet Singh is looking to put the disappointment of 2018 behind. In the previous edition, the team finished at the sixth spot.