India's hosting of the event was put in doubt when the FIH reviewed the progress of the Indian Hockey Federation's "Promoting Indian Hockey" program and India's preparation for the championship, and warned that "satisfactory progress had not been made in either area". India was warned it could lose the right to host the World Cup unless satisfactory progress was made. It was confirmed on 18 July 2008 that the International Hockey Federation formally awarded the hosting rights to India.
Qualification
Each of the continental champions from five confederations and the host nation received an automatic berth. The European confederation received three extra quotas based upon the FIH World Rankings at the completion of the 2008 Summer Olympics. In addition to the three winners of each of the three Qualifiers, the following twelve teams, shown with final pre-tournament rankings, competed in this tournament.
Competition format
Twelve teams competed in the tournament with the competition consisting of two rounds. In the first round, teams were divided into two pools of six teams, and play followed round robin format with each of the teams playing all other teams in the pool once. Teams were awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss. At the end of the pool matches, teams were ranked in their pool according to the following criteria in order:
Total points accumulated
Number of matches won
Goal difference
Goals for
The result of the match played between the teams in question
Following the completion of the pool games, teams placing first and second in each pool advanced to a single elimination round consisting of two semifinal games, a third place playoff and a final. Remaining teams competed in classification matches to determine their ranking in the tournament. During these matches, extra time of 7½ minutes per half was to be played if teams were tied at the end of regulation time. During extra time, play followed golden goal rules with the first team to score declared the winner. If no goals were scored during extra time, a penalty stroke competition was to take place.
Umpires
16 umpires were appointed by the FIH for this tournament. During each match, a video umpire was used to assist the on-field umpires in determining if a goal had been legally scored. The FIH also mandated that on a trial basis during the tournament, each team received the right to refer one decision made by an on-field umpire to the video umpire for assessment. Referrals were only permitted for decisions made within the 23 meter area relating to the award of goals, penalty strokes, and penalty corners. In the event that the referral was upheld, the referring team retained a right of further referral.
