Bhubaneswar, Jan. 6 -- As the defending Champions Belgium arrived in Odisha on Friday for the FIH Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela, there was a definite buzz at the Biju Patnaik International Airport with a large gathering of fans to welcome some of the biggest stars in world hockey.

Belgium (Red Lions) is placed in Pool B along with Germany, Japan and Korea, and will begin its campaign on January 14 against Korea in Bhubaneswar.

Led by skipper Felix Denayer, the Red Lions are hoping to repeat their performance of the 2028 edition of the World Cup. If they are able to do so, they will become the fourth nation after Pakistan (1978, 1982), Germany (2002, 2006), and Australia (2010, 2014) to win two consecutive editions of ...