The 2010 World Cup will be the 12th instalment of the tournament and the second to be held in India. The first was in Mumbai in 1982.
Where: Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi, India
When: Feb 28 - March 13
Twelve nations (Australia, Argentina, Canada, England, Germany, India, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Spain, South Africa) are drawn in two Pools (A and B) and play each side in their group once before the classification matches take place. Germany are the current holders and a win in New Delhi will see them become the first side to win the trophy for the third consecutive time.
England finished fifth in 2006 but as reigning European champions have targeted a semi-final berth in India. Pool A
Pool B
Germany
Australia
Netherlands
Spain
Korea
England
New Zealand
Pakistan
Canada
India
Argentina
South Africa
Full fixtures
Who to watch:
Cup holders Germany will be looking to prove themselves worthy of being ranked No 1 in the world after missing out on the European title and the Champions Trophy last year.
Champions Trophy holders and medal winners at the last four Olympics, Australia are favourites to join Germany in the 1st v 2nd place match on the final day of the tournament.
England's hopes?
After breaking England's 21-year silverware drought against Germany last August, head coach Jason Lee is optimistic of his side's chances in India.
Before leaving for a pre-training camp in Doha, Lee said: "We are very capable of reaching the semi-finals.
"We are the European champions. England had not won the championship for 85 years. We were always outsiders in major tournaments. The win in European Championship has given confidence and we can do well at the World Cup."
Confident of his side's chances in their opening game against Australia, who they have not beaten since 1987, he added: "Australia are by far the favourites but they have been known to throw it away when it comes to the big games. Maybe we can make sure they do. And I say this as a pessimist; there are others out there who believe we can cause an upset – and we can."
Security:
With India hosting not just the hockey World Cup this year but also the Indian Premier League and Commonwealth Games, security levels have been maximised amid a series of threats against the three events.
In early February, following a bomb attack in Pune, the 313 Brigade, an affiliate of al-Qaeda, warned that athletes and spectators attending the events in India would face "consequences".
In response to these threats, India sought to reassure the 12 competing nations that they would do everything in their power to ensure a safe tournament.
Home Secretary G. K. Pillai said: "We are in close touch with security liaison officers of all countries that are coming here to participate. So far, all of them have seen the preparations done by the Delhi Police and the MHA (Ministry of Home Afffairs). They are quite satisfied."
Hockey India added that so far no team has threatened to walk out on the event.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/hockey/7299274/Hockey-World-Cup-2010-complete-tournament-guide.html
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