Cardiff will host a men’s World Cup qualifier in October with Wales bidding to reach hockey’s showpiece for the first time.
Wales were offered bidding rights and another route to the 2023 World Cup in India following the EuroHockey Championships.
And now, in a major boost for the sport, Hockey Wales has stepped forward to host the European qualifiers in Cardiff between October 21-24.
Wales, France and Russia are already confirmed. They will be joined by five teams from Austria, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Scotland, Switzerland and Ukraine following the EuroHockey Championship II, Gniezno, Poland next month.
The World Cup qualifier could turn into a mini home nations tussle, with Scotland and Ireland favourites to qualify for the Cardiff tournament.
Wales, meanwhile, will be aiming to carry on some of their fine form at the Euros after toppling France in Amsterdam.
Meanwhile, Rome will be the location for the women’s European qualifying event for the 2022 women’s Cup in Spain and Holland across the same weekend.
Ireland, Scotland and Italy women are the confirmed teams from their participation at the 2021 EuroHockey.
As with the men, five teams from Austria, Belarus, Czech Republic, France, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Wales will join them following the EuroHockey Championship II in Prague later this summer.
One team at the Rome event will qualify outright for the 2022 World Cup.
