Hockey World Cup 2023: All you need to know about crossover round

The pool stage games are over in the ongoing FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. Hosts India finished second in their group and advanced to the crossover stage. The Men in Blue will lock horns with New Zealand at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on January 22 for a place in the quarterfinals.

Crossover is like pre-quarterfinals of sorts. It is also a part of the knock-out round. As per the format of the event, the second and third teams in the Pool stage will have a chance to play against each other in the crossovers to qualify for the quarterfinals.

The format will offer a second chance to the teams ending in third place in their groups. Moreover, it is suitable for the teams ending at the top of each pool as the Pool toppers advance directly to the last eight.

Moreover, the losing teams in the crossovers will be eliminated from the competition. Subsequently, they will play the 9-16th place classification matches. They will face the teams that have ended last in the Pool stage.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) Executive Board introduced the crossover round in 2016. The 2018 World Cup in Bhubaneswar was the first World Cup to implement the crossover round.

Crossover fixtures in HWC 2023

Malaysia vs Spain - January 22

India vs New Zealand - January 22

Argentina vs South Korea - January 23

Germany vs France - January 23