The New Zealander, who was the technical delegate for the men's hockey tournament at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, said details of the commercial and broadcasting plans for the league, due to launch in January 2019, will also be announced.

McCracken, who officially began work as the chief executive in February, also told insidethegames here at the SportAccord Convention that prize money will be offered for the first time to "move the game into the professional era".

He added the branding, which includes the name, was in "pretty good shape" and that discussions regarding commercial and broadcast deals were ongoing.

"We want to make sure every bid is a strong bid from a commercial aspect," said McCracken.

"We are no longer charging countries to bid so it won't cost them anything. 

"The FIH is picking up the costs so it is removing the financial outlay for the National Associations.

"We're also going to set up a Council of National Associations who will have a say in the event to help us with scheduling to ensure we have enough space for everything."

The FIH has received applications from 18 countries to participate in the event, which is controversially replacing the Champions Trophy and Hockey World League Semi-Final and Final events as part of the overhaul of their competition portfolio.

Countries who wish to enter the league have until April 30 to complete the next phase of the process, involving the submission of "in-depth information based on various aspects of their hosting and participation capabilities".

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

The FIH Executive Board will then select the nations who will compete in the tournament, set to feature between seven and nine teams, at a meeting on June 8.

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.

McCracken claimed the membership of the FIH and the fanbase were warming to the new competition portfolio.

The FIH were criticised for axing of the Champions Trophy but McCracken defended the sweeping alterations to their events schedule.

He admitted, however, that the Hockey World League Semi-Finals and Final events were "confusing as hell".

"Most people get it now about the confusion and all of the different events," he said.

"I found it hard to explain to my hockey friends and it was confusing as hell for everyone.

"This concept of having the Olympics, the World Cup and the home and away league is very clear, playing hockey in front of a home crowd in a time zone where people can watch and engage with it. 

"We are ticking all the boxes and we are really excited about what it is going to look like."

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.