NEW DELHI: Defending champion Germany and Australia are the top-seeded teams for the men’s World Cup next year.

The International Field Hockey Federation on Tuesday announced the two groups for the tournament that will be held in New Delhi from February 28 to March 13.

Germany was joined in Group A by the Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina.

Australia was placed in Group B with Spain, England, Pakistan, India and South Africa.

The teams play each other in their group and the top two from each group then advance to the semi-finals.

World Cup organizers said the match schedule would be released later this month.

India is hosting the showpiece event for the first time in 28 years.