The teams qualified by default following the conclusion of the Oceania Cup Championships in New Zealand today, as both the winning Australian sides had already secured their spots and, therefore, opened up the door to squads that finished outside of the top three at the Hockey World League Semi-Finals that had not yet qualified for the World Cup.

The Indian men and Belgian women had both finished in sixth place at their respective World League Semi-Finals in Rotterdam.

They now join the other 20 teams - 10 men and 10 women - who have already qualified for the sport's showpiece event that will be held at the 15,000 capacity Kyocera Stadium between May 31 and June 15 next year.

Belgium's women's squad has secured a place at the Hockey World Cup


India's men will play alongside hosts the Netherlands, European champions Germany, Pan American champions Argentina, Asian champions Korea, Oceania champions Australia, England, Belgium, New Zealand, Spain and Malaysia.

The Belgian women will meet hosts the Netherlands, European champions Germany, Asian champions Japan, Oceania champions Australia, England, Argentina, Korea, New Zealand, China and the United States.

There are now just two spots left to fill, with these set to be taken by the winners of the rescheduled Men's and Women's Africa Cup of Nations - which were postponed in the wake of the tragic siege at the Westgate Shopping Centre, taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 18 until 24.

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