Ireland sides learn Olympic qualifying opposition

Ireland's path to the Olympic Games has become clearer after the draw was made for the men’s and women’s qualifying tournaments in Spain in January.

Sixteen teams will compete in both events, divided into two groups of eight, with the top three nations in each advancing to the 2024 Paris Games.

The men’s team – who won the EuroHockey Division Two title this year to advance to the Valencia event – will be in Pool A with Austria, Belgium, Egypt, Japan, Korea, Spain and Ukraine.

Ireland are currently ranked 13th in the world, with world number two Belgium the big hitter in the group. Spain (8) and Korea (10) are also above them in the rankings.

The other men’s qualifier will be held in Oman, with Great Britain, Germany, New Zealand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Canada, Chile and China competing for the three qualification spots.

Ireland’s women’s team will also be based in Valencia, with games against Belgium, Great Britain, Canada, Korea, Malaysia, Spain and Ukraine to come.

Like the men, Ireland are also currently ranked 13th in the world and booked their spot at the qualifiers thanks to a closing 1-1 draw with Italy in August’s EuroHockey Championships.

Belgium (4th) and Spain (8th) sit above them in the world rankings, and with England ranked seventh, the Great Britain side will also provide a formidable challenge.

India will host the other pool to feature the hosts, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, Chile, United States, Italy and Czech Republic.

The qualifiers will be played between 13-21 January 2024.