India Faces Tough Challenge in Men's Hockey Pool B at Paris Olympics.

India, the Asian Games champions and bronze medallists from Tokyo Olympics, are in a challenging Pool B for the men's hockey competition at this year's Paris Games.

India, the eight-time champions and recent bronze medalists at the Tokyo Olympics, are in a tough group at the Paris Games. 

They are placed with reigning champions Belgium, powerful Australia, gold medallist Argentina from Rio, New Zealand, and Ireland. 

Despite being ranked third globally, India has faced challenges against Australia and Argentina, both silver and gold medallists from Tokyo.

Pool A includes Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, France, and South Africa. 

The pools were announced by the International Hockey Federation after the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers.

In the women's competition, India, who finished fourth in Tokyo, won't be participating as they failed to qualify. 

Germany, USA, and Japan secured their spots from the Olympic Qualifiers in Ranchi. 

Reigning champions Netherlands are in Pool A with Belgium, Germany, Japan, China, and hosts France. Pool B features Australia, current silver medallist Argentina, Great Britain, Spain, USA, and South Africa.

Teams were placed in pools based on their FIH World Rankings as of Sunday. 

Twelve teams per gender qualified for the Olympics through hosting, continental qualifiers, or top-three finishes in the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier.

The top four teams from each pool in both men's and women's competitions will move on to the quarterfinals. 

The Paris Olympics will take place from July 26 to August 11, with hockey competitions scheduled from July 27 to August 9.