The fifth edition of the men’s Pan American Hockey Cup is due to begin tomorrow in Lancaster in Pennsylvania ©FIH

The fifth edition of the men’s Pan American Hockey Cup is due to begin tomorrow in Lancaster in Pennsylvania, where automatic qualification spots for the 2018 World Cup in Indian city Bhubaneswar will be up for grabs.

Only the winning team will receive automatic qualification and with Argentina and Canada having already secured their place via the Hockey World League Semi-Finals, the results at Spooky Nook Sports Complex could have wider implications for the qualification opportunities for other nations.

If either Argentina or Canada triumph, a World Cup qualification spot will become available for some of the higher-placed teams who participated in the Hockey World League Semi-Finals held in England’s capital London and South African city Johannesburg.

Holders Argentina will be looking to repeat their success from 2013, when they beat home nation Canada 4-0 in the final. 

The world number one-ranked side have been drawn in Pool A along with Chile, Venezuela and hosts the United States. 

Canada, meanwhile, have been drawn in Pool B against Brazil, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago.

They have appeared in every final to date, defeating the US in 2009 but losing to Cuba in 2000 and Argentina in 2004 and 2013. 

Trinidad and Tobago are one of eight teams contesting the men's competition ©TTHB/Twitter
Trinidad and Tobago are one of eight teams contesting the men's competition ©TTHB/Twitter

The women’s event is scheduled to get underway on Saturday (August 5) with Argentina and the US among the favourites for success. 

A total of seven teams will be competing for the title and an automatic qualification spot for the 2018 World Cup in London.

Argentina and the US have already qualified for the World Cup via the Hockey World League Semi-Finals.

If either of them come out on top in Lancaster, a World Cup qualification spot will become available for some of the higher-placed teams who participated in the Hockey World League Semi-Finals held in Belgium’s capital Brussels and Johannesburg.

Argentina have claimed every women’s Pan American Cup title since the event’s establishment in 2001, beating the US in each of the four finals.

The world number three-ranked team have been drawn in Pool A which also includes Chile and Uruguay.

Pool B is made up of the US, the Pan American Games gold medallists in 2015 and 2011, as well as Canada, Mexico and debutants Brazil.

This year’s event marks the first time that the US has played host to the Pan American Cup.

Another first is the fact that it will be a dual-gender Pan American Cup, with men's and women’s matches taking place on alternate days.

Previous editions have been at different venues.