Field Hockey

FIH World Ranking: outdoor field hockey

Field hockey is an 11-a-side stick-and-ball game played on artificial turf. The FIH ranks national teams based on results in international matches and tournaments.

Origin

Stick-and-ball games are ancient, but the modern game was formalised in England in the 19th century and has been an Olympic sport since 1908.

Fun fact

India won eight Olympic gold medals in men's hockey, including six in a row from 1928 to 1956, a dominance few teams in any sport can match.

Strongest nations

The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Australia, India and Argentina lead the men; the Netherlands has dominated the women's game, ahead of Argentina, Belgium and Australia.

Governing body

The International Hockey Federation (FIH), founded in 1924 and based in Lausanne, Switzerland.