The various pre-Olympic tournaments will be held from 13-21 January. There are 18 qualified countries, 36 in both categories, with eight playing at each venue: Muscat, Oman, Ranchi, India and Valencia, Spain. 

The city of Valencia, located 360 km from the Spanish capital, will host the Hockey Pre-Olympics starting on 13 January. It will be an eight-day tournament that will award three places per gender and per venue for the most important sporting event of the year, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

The Beteró Hockey Field, close to the Las Arenas beaches, will be the epicentre of this important tournament on European soil, which will determine the teams that will accompany France as hosts and the continental champions from 2023 at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir next summer.

The 3 teams per group that qualify will make a total of 12, with France in both sexes and 10 other teams. The five women's teams that have already qualified are Australia, the Netherlands, China, Argentina, and South Africa, while the five qualified men's teams are Australia, the Netherlands, India, Argentina, and South Africa. 

Among the favourites in men's Group A, reigning Tokyo 2020 Olympic champions (and Rio 2016 silver medallists) Belgium are the clear favourites to secure one of the three places in their group. Ireland, Ukraine and Japan will provide stiff competition. 

In men's Group B: Spain, for historical reasons and as hosts, stand out from the rest, along with Korea. Both are in the top 10 of the FIH world hockey rankings. Egypt and Austria, both ranked in the top 20, will give them a run for their money.

In the women's Group A, Belgium, ranked fourth in the world after their performances at the last World Cup and in the FIH Pro League, are once again the favourites. Korea and Ireland, ranked 12th and 13th respectively, will be joined by Ukraine in their quest for a place among the top contenders. 

In Group B on the other hand: Great Britain (Rio 2016 gold) are the clear favourites on the basis of history and current performance. Spain, as hosts, will have the advantage of the home crowd, while Canada and Malaysia will be looking to spring a surprise.

Qualification for Paris 2024:

The 3 teams per group that qualify make a total of 12, with France in both sexes and 10 other teams having already booked their ticket to Paris by being the best in their continent. 

In the women's competition, the qualified teams are Australia, the Netherlands, China, Argentina and South Africa. 

In the men's competition, the qualified teams are Australia, Netherlands, India, Argentina and South Africa.

The groups:

The men's groups in Valencia are as follows: Belgium, Ireland, Ukraine, Japan, Spain, Egypt, South Korea and Austria. 

In Muscat we have Chile, Great Britain, China, Pakistan, Malaysia, Germany, Canada and New Zealand. 

In the women's competition, Chile, Germany, Japan, the Czech Republic, Italy, India, New Zealand and the USA will compete in Ranchi. 

In Valencia, the competition will feature Ireland, Belgium, South Korea, Ukraine, Malaysia, Great Britain, Spain and Canada.