In what promises to be a rollicking start to next year’s Hero Honda FIH Hockey World Cup, hosts India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the opening day of the mega event to be held here from February 28 to March 13.

According to event itinerary released by the International Hockey Federation on Tuesday, India will play Pakistan in the third Pool B match of the opening day, while Spain will take on South Africa in the tournament opener followed by the encounter between England and Australia.

India will next play Australia on March 2, and then take on Spain on March 4, followed by the encounter against England on March 6 and finally round off their Pool stage with the game against South Africa on March 8.

Meanwhile, Olympic and world champions Germany will commence their defence on the second day on March 1 against Korea in Pool A. The day will also see New Zealand taking on Canada and the Netherlands facing Argentina.

The semifinals of the tournament are scheduled for March 11, while the final will be played on March 13.