16 top teams from around the world will take part in the tournament, starting with pool matches, followed by Cross-Over matches, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final, on December 16.
Hosts India, who are placed in Pool C along with Belgium, South Africa and Canada, won their only World Cup way back in 1975 when they beat Pakistan 2-1 in the final in Kuala Lumpur.
Pakistan are the most successful team in the history of the World Cup, with titles to their credit -- 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994, while Netherlands and Australia have won three titles each and Germany has bagged two titles.
Australia are the reigning World champions, having thrashed Netherlands 6-1 in the title clash of the previous edition of the tournament in 2014.
Check out the complete schedule:
| Date | Pool | Time (IST) | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 28 | Pool C | 17:00 | Canada vs Belgium |
| Nov 28 | Pool C | 19:00 | India vs South Africa |
| Nov 29 | Pool A | 17:00 | Argentina vs Spain |
| Nov 29 | Pool A | 19:00 | New Zealand vs France |
| Nov 30 | Pool B | 17:00 | Australia vs Ireland |
| Nov 30 | Pool B | 19:00 | England vs China |
| Dec 1 | Pool D | 17:00 | Netherlands vs Malaysia |
| Dec 1 | Pool D | 19:00 | Germany vs Pakistan |
| Dec 2 | Pool C | 17:00 | Canada vs South Africa |
| Dec 2 | Pool C | 19:00 | India vs Belgium |
| Dec 3 | Pool A | 17:00 | Spain vs France |
| Dec 3 | Pool A | 19:00 | New Zealand vs Argentina |
| Dec 4 | Pool B | 17:00 | England vs Australia |
| Dec 4 | Pool B | 19:00 | Ireland vs China |
| Dec 5 | Pool D | 17:00 | Germany vs Netherlands |
| Dec 5 | Pool D | 19:00 | Malaysia vs Pakistan |
| Dec 6 | Pool A | 17:00 | Spain vs New Zealand |
| Dec 6 | Pool A | 19:00 | Argentina vs France |
| Dec 7 | Pool B | 17:00 | Australia vs China |
| Dec 7 | Pool B | 19:00 | Ireland vs England |
| Dec 8 | Pool C | 17:00 | Belgium vs South Africa |
| Dec 8 | Pool C | 19:00 | Canada vs India |
| Dec 9 | Pool D | 17:00 | Malaysia vs Germany |
| Dec 9 | Pool D | 19:00 | Netherlands vs Pakistan |
| Dec 10 | Cross-over | 16:45 | 2nd Pool A - 3rd Pool B |
| Dec 10 | Cross-over | 19:00 | 2nd Pool B - 3rd Pool A |
| Dec 11 | Cross-over | 16:45 | 2nd Pool C - 3rd Pool D |
| Dec 11 | Cross-over | 19:00 | 2nd Pool D - 3rd Pool C |
| Dec 12 | 1st Quarter-final | 16:45 | 1st Pool A - Winner 26 |
| Dec 12 | 2nd Quarter-final | 19:00 | 1st Pool B - Winner 25 |
| Dec 13 | 3rd Quarter-final | 16:45 | 1st Pool C - Winner 28 |
| Dec 13 | 4th Quarter-final | 19:00 | 1st Pool D - Winner 27 |
| Dec 15 | 1st Semi-final | 16:00 | Winner 29 - Winner 32 |
| Dec 15 | 2nd Semi-final | 18:30 | Winner 30 - Winner 31 |
| Dec 16 | Bronze Medal play-off | 16:30 | Loser 33 - Loser 34 |
| Dec 16 | FINAL | 19:00 | Winner 33 - Winner 34 |
Can India win hockey World Cup after long wait of 43 years?
Rahman throws Hook Step Challenge, winners will dance with SRK
Time for Indian hockey team to deliver
Beware! Pak hockey team better prepared than ever before
PHOTOS: India's hockey legend tries his hand at cricket...