The South Asian arch-rivals have been drawn into pool B along Australia, Spain, England and South Africa. Above: International Hockey Federation officials and sponsors pose with 2010 World Cup trophy in New Delhi. —Photo by Reuters

NEW DELHI Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will face-off in the preliminary league of field hockey's World Cup next year, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced on Tuesday.

India and Pakistan have been drawn together in pool B alongside Australia, Spain, England and South Africa in the 12-nation tournament to be played in New Delhi from February 28-March 13.

Defending champions Germany head pool A, which includes the Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina.

Two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals.

The match schedule will be released before December 31, the FIH said.

Pool A Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina.
Pool B Australia, Spain, England, Pakistan, India, South Africa. —AFP