Pakistan is the most successful hockey team in terms of World Cups won, leading the chart with four titles. It defeated home team Spain 1-0 in the inaugural World Cup in 1971, winning three more in 1978, 1982 and 1994. The 1994 World Cup was decided in a penalty shoot-out that Pakistan won 4-3. (Vino John)
The Netherlands is joint second with three World Cup titles. It won its first World Cup at home in 1973, defeating India 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 deadlock after extra time. It later won two more titles in 1990 and 1998, which was also on home turf. The 1998 World Cup final is the only final that has been decided after extra time till date. The other two matches went into a penalty shoot-out. (The Hindu Photo Library)
Defending champion Australia, like the Netherlands, has won three titles. The first was back in 1986, when it defeated England 2-1 on home soil. Australia won its second World Cup in 2010 in India after defeating Germany 2-1 in the final. (AP)
Germany has defeated the same opposition in both World Cup finals that it has won. The first one was in 2002 when it defeated Australia 2-1 in Malaysia. Four years later, on home turf this time, it overcame a 3-1 deficit to clinch the title 4-3. Germany has finished second twice and third on four occasions. (Vino John)
The host of the 2018 World Cup has an average track record in the competition. Its solitary World Cup victory dates back to 1975, when it came back from behind to defeat arch-rival Pakistan 2-1 in Kuala Lumpur. India's next best performances are second place in 1973 and third in 1971. (The Hindu Photo Library)
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