Hockey News: World Rankings after Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

As a result, the world rankings have also witnessed considerable shifts up and down the table. Despite the surge in competition, the top of the men's and women's rankings remains unscathed. 

Who are the top hockey teams in the world?

After the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2022, Australia reigned at the top in men's rankings, with 3052 points. Belgium have retained the second position with 2858 points, followed by Germany (2623), and Argentina (2284) in the fourth, and seventh positions, respectively. 

The top teams managed to safeguard their spots. Germany briefly overtook Belgium after the first half of the mini-tournament, where Germany snatched two wins and Belgium suffered two losses. 

Belgium's comeback in the last two matches sent them back into the second position. Netherlands (2847) are well settled in third place before the FIH Hockey Pro League 2022-23 campaign is set to commence on December 13, 2022.

India (2487), Spain (2120), and New Zealand (1918) started their preparation with a mini-tournament for the FIH Hockey Pro League 2022-23 in India. 

They are still ranked fifth, eighth, and ninth, respectively. Meanwhile, England (2359) are in the sixth position. The hosts and first-time winners of the 2022 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Malaysia (1899) are still ranked 10th ahead of 11th-ranked France (1804). 

Korea (1760) are twelfth, while Pakistan's (1543) bronze medal victory saw them climb one spot to 17th. Japan slipped down to eighteenth. South Africa (1562) finished at the bottom of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and slumped into the 16th position. 

Ireland (1652) are 13th, while Canada (1622), and Wales (1617) climbed a spot each to settle at the fourteenth and fifteenth positions. 

Changes in the women's hockey rankings

The women's rankings underwent fewer changes as the opening FIH Hockey Pro League mini-tournament between Argentina, Belgium, and Germany was a neck-to-neck affair. 

Argentina, Germany, and Belgium stood out in the tournament and caused significant upsets. The Netherlands (3150) are at the top, followed by second-placed Argentina (2653).

Australia (2588) and England (2248) are in the third and fourth spots. Germany (2199) and Belgium (2175)are in the fifth and sixth spots, although the latter have considerably reduced the deficit. 

Spain (2146) and India (2010) are seventh and eighth. New Zealand (1997) and China (1794) are the last two teams in the top 10. Japan (1700), Korea (1654), and Ireland (1563) are outside the top 10 in eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth places. 

Chile (1430) are pacing ahead and have now crossed Canada (1425) into the fourteenth spot after a gold medal match wins over Argentina in the summit clash of the XII South American Games.

United States (1316) are ranked 16th as of now, while Italy (1229), and South Africa (1150) are the last two teams that will compete in the upcoming FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup. 

They currently occupy the eighteenth and twentieth positions in the world rankings. The FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup begins on December 11 2022.