Nickname: The Black Sticks

How they qualified: Oceania quota*

Notable honours: Olympic gold medallists (1976), Hockey World League silver medallists (2012-14 edition), Champions Challenge gold medallists (2009), Commonwealth Games silver medallists (2002), 11x Oceania Cup silver medallists (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019), 2x Sultan Azlan Shah Cup winners (2012, 2015).

Rank in previous WC editions: 1973 – 7th, 1975 – 7th, 1982 – 7th, 1986 – 9th, 1998 – 10th, 2002 – 9th, 2006 – 8th, 2010 – 9th, 2014 – 7th, 2018 – 9th.

New Zealand are all set to compete in their 11th FIH Men’s World Cup, with the Odisha event being their seventh in succession. They are yet to finish higher than seventh, a placing they have achieved on four separate occasions, but that could all change this time around.

The Black Sticks are always a force to be reckoned with, being blessed with some genuinely world class players amongst their ranks. Blair Tarrant is a fine defender who has represented his country more than 230 times, while the likes of veteran striker Simon Child, Sam Lane, and penalty corner weapon Kane Russell are all goal threats. Highly regarded defensive midfielder Nick Ross makes a return to the team after taking a break throughout 2022, while 19-year-old debutant defender Charlie Morrison will be relishing the opportunity to show his talents on the big stage after gaining selection.

The team is coached by former South Africa striker Greg Nicol, who represented his country at the Atlanta 1996 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games as well as the 2002 FIH Men’s World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

One to watch: Simon Child. As a prodigious teenager, Simon Child lit up the Mönchengladbach 2006 World Cup with a series of superb attacking displays. Now 34 and having scored 144 goals in 288 appearances, this certified Black Sticks legend is still capable of producing moments of match-winning brilliance.

* The Oceania Cup could not be completed before the qualification deadline due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The two Oceania quota places were filled based on the FIH Men's World Ranking.