The FIH confirmed the applicants met the extensive eligibility criteria, revealed last month, which includes world ranking and a commitment to ensure their leading players take part in the tournament, due to launch in 2019.

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, The Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain were all successful with their applications for both their men’s and women’s teams.

China, Italy and the United States successfully applied for the women’s competition, while Malaysia and Pakistan progressed to the next stage for the men’s event.

Canada did not apply, while Malaysia's women's team application was rejected as they are not ranked in the top 16.

The FIH have now asked the nations to submit "in-depth information based on various aspects of their hosting and participation capabilities" before the next deadline of April 30.

This will include information about financial sustainability, commercial vision, legal compliance, proposed venues, organisation and personnel and event delivery and presentation.

Team performance history, marketing strategies, motivation for participation, the proposed legacy impact and any added value they can bring to the competition will also be taken into account.

Applications were scrutinised by the FIH Event Portfolio Implementation Panel, which features Competitions Committee head Ken Read, who failed with his bid for the Presidency in November, and acting chief executive David Luckes.

FIH Executive Board Members Alberto Budeisky and Marijke Fleuren, the President of the European Hockey Federation, Athletes' Committee co-chair Annie Panter and chief executive group representative Elena Norman are also on the panel.

The FIH has announced they are seeking an independent official to join the group at the beginning of next month, prior to the evaluation of the submissions from the successful applicants.

The countries who have reached the next phase of the process will be given the chance to take part in a workshop at the FIH’s Lausanne headquarters in March.

A further evaluation will then take place before the competing countries in the league, which does not yet have a name, are revealed at a launch event in June.

"The high number of applications and the quality of the information already submitted is extremely encouraging," said Luckes.

"However, the next stage of the application process is critical. 

"In-depth information must be submitted by these National Associations outlining how they will meet the host and participation requirements of the new global home and away league, while we will also be undertaking considerable research on all of the applicants in relation to broadcast and media coverage.

"We will be providing National Associations with all the support they need in order to give each and every one of them a fair opportunity to participate in this game changing competition - a key component of our 10-year Hockey Revolution strategy."

The league, which is controversially replacing the Champions Trophy as well as the Hockey World League Semi-Finals and Final, will feature between seven and nine teams.

The men’s and women’s sides involved will play home and away against the other teams each year, with matches held in Southern and Northern Hemisphere rounds to ensure the best possible weather conditions.

Following the completion of the league phase, the top four countries will compete in a standalone grand final to crown the overall winner.