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India and Pakistan were slated to clash in the Kho Kho World Cup opener on January 13 but the latter have not been granted visa.
Kho Kho World Cup 2025 (X)
Hosts India and Nepal will face off in the first match of the historic first-ever Kho Kho World Cup at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi, from January 13 to 19, 2025.
India and Pakistan were slated to clash in the tournament opener on January 13 but the neighbouring state has not been granted visa to travel to the country, according to reports.
Hence 39 teams from across the globe compete for glory in the men’s and women’s competitions.
The opening ceremony of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 will take place on January 13, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, followed by the opening match between India and Nepal.
Men’s Category: Group Breakdown and Key Matches
The Men’s competition features 20 teams divided into four groups:
Group A: India, Nepal, Peru, Brazil, Bhutan
Group B: South Africa, Ghana, Argentina, Netherlands, Iran
Group C: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea, USA, Poland
Group D: England, Germany, Malaysia, Australia, Kenya
The Men’s matches kick off with India facing Nepal in the mega tournament opener at 8:30 pm IST. The league stage will culminate on January 16, followed by the playoffs beginning on January 17.
The Men’s final will take place on January 19 at 8:15 pm IST, promising a thrilling conclusion to the championship.
Women’s Category: Group Breakdown and Key Matches
The Women’s competition mirrors the Men’s format, with 19 teams divided into four groups:
Group A: India, Iran, Malaysia, South Korea
Group B: England, Australia, Kenya, Uganda, Netherlands
Group C: Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Germany, Bangladesh
Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Poland, Peru, Indonesia
The Women’s opening match sees England taking on Australia on January 14 at 11:45 am IST. For the Indian team, their first match of the tournament is against South Korea on January 14 at 7:00 pm IST.
The group stage concludes on January 16, paving the way for the playoffs on January 17. The Women’s final match is scheduled for January 19 at 7:00 pm IST, setting the stage for a spectacular finish to the week-long extravaganza.
Playoff Details and Format
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will qualify for the quarterfinals. From there, the tournament progresses to the semifinals and finals.
Star Sports will broadcast the matches on Star Sports 1 HD and Star Sports First, while Doordarshan will ensure nationwide regional coverage. Disney+ Hotstar joins as the OTT broadcast partner, enabling digital streaming access.