The first-ever Kho Kho World Cup 2025 is all set to take the global stage by storm, kicking off on January 13, 2025, in the vibrant city of New Delhi. The excitement begins with a thrilling opening match between India and Pakistan, one of the best rivalries in sports to date, and will be graced by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the grand inauguration.
With 24 nations competing—featuring both men’s and women’s teams—this adrenaline-pumping event is your chance to witness Kho Kho evolve from a cherished local tradition into an electrifying global phenomenon.
Fast-paced action, intense rivalries, and unforgettable moments await. Dive into our ultimate guide and be part of history in the making!
What is Kho Kho?
Kho Kho is an electrifying, fast-paced South Asian sport with roots in ancient India.
Played on a rectangular court, two teams compete to tag their opponents while navigating a series of unique rules. The chasing team, with nine players, tries to tag three runners from the defending team, scoring points for each successful touch. Players can switch roles strategically by saying “Kho” to outmaneuver their opponents. Each match has two turns for each team, lasting nine minutes, with the highest score taking the win.
Widely popular across South Asia and beyond, Kho Kho is now a thrilling competitive sport, with the first ever Kho Kho World Cup 2025 debuting in India.
Kho Kho World Cup 2025 Participating Nations
Get ready for a global showdown as teams from around the world collide in the ultimate championship! Here’s the electrifying lineup:
- Africa: Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda
- Asia: Hosts India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka
- Europe: England, Germany, Netherlands, Poland
- North America: Canada, United States
- South America: Brazil, Peru
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
The stage is set for an international clash of skill, speed, and strategy!
Tournament Structure for Kho Kho World Cup 2025
The stage is set for an action-packed tournament featuring both men’s and women’s divisions, each with 12 fierce teams battling it out!
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Men’s Division
In the men’s category, we’ve got a powerful African trio: Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. The Asian teams for Kho Kho World Cup 2025 will bring the heat with hosts India, plus Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, and South Korea.
Europe is represented by England and the Netherlands, while North America has Canada and the United States in the mix. Brazil proudly carries the South American flag, and Australia completes the 16-team lineup!
Women’s Division
The women’s competition is just as fierce, with Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda representing Africa in the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup 2025.
From Asia, hosts India are joined by Bhutan, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea, and Sri Lanka. Europe brings in England, Germany, and Poland, while Peru represents South America, and New Zealand rounds out the women’s bracket.
First Kho Kho World Cup 2025 Match
The countdown is on! It is going to be India vs. Pakistan in the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup on January 13, 2025. It’s bound to be a match to watch, considering India and Pakistan have a history of throwing it down in major Cricket tournaments such as the T20 World Cup.
The most anticipated moment? The high-octane opening match between fierce rivals India and Pakistan! The competition will feature intense league and knockout stages, with the quarterfinals on January 17, semifinals on January 18, and the grand final on January 19.
