Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will face off on the opening day of field hockey’s World Cup next year, according to the schedule announced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Tuesday.

India and Pakistan have been drawn together in pool B alongside Australia, Spain, England and South Africa in the 12-nation tournament to be played in New Delhi from February 28 to March 13.

In other Pool B matches on the first day, South Africa lock horns with Spain and Australia take on England, the FIH said in a press release.

Olympic and World champions Germany will open their defence of the title on March 1 against South Korea.

Germany head pool A, which includes the Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina.