Wales has unveiled a 20‑player roster for the upcoming Hockey World Cup, set to be staged across the Netherlands and Belgium. The squad blends veteran experience with promising youth, aiming to improve on the joint‑11th finish achieved at their tournament debut two years ago.
Pool D and venue details
Competing in Pool D, Wales will face England, India and Pakistan, with every group match scheduled at the modern Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam. The venue, known for its state‑of‑the‑art surface, will host all of Wales' pool games.
The team enters the competition ranked 16th in the world, the lowest seed among the participants, which adds a layer of challenge but also motivation for the players eager to prove their mettle on the international stage.
Warm‑up fixtures against England, Australia and Spain have already provided valuable preparation, while upcoming matches against Chile in Cardiff will fine‑tune the side's rhythm before the tournament begins.
Beyond on‑field ambitions, the squad is actively crowdfunding to meet travel, accommodation and competition expenses, underscoring the community‑driven nature of Welsh hockey and the financial hurdles faced by a nation without a professional league.
Key figures in the lineup include Toby Reynolds‑Cotterill, Rhys Payne and Daniel Kyriakides, who join veterans such as Danny Newcombe, Jacob Draper and Fred Newbold. Youngster Liam Barker, who impressed for the Welsh Under‑21s, receives his first senior call‑up, adding fresh energy to the roster.