Performance by host nations
Nine nations have hosted the Hockey World Cup. Only the Netherlands (1973 and 1998) and Germany (2006) have won the tournament as hosts. Spain, England, and Pakistan emerged as host runners-up in the 1971, 1986 and 1990 tournaments. Australia placed third when it hosted the 1994 tournament in Sydney.
Performance by continental zones
To date, the finals of the Hockey World Cup have been contested by Asian, European and Oceania continental teams. Asian and European teams are tied with five titles each. Australia is the only team from Oceania to win the tournament. The Americas is the only continental zone that has not made an appearance in a Hockey World Cup semifinal.
| Continent |
Best performance |
| Asian |
5 titles, won by Pakistan (4) and India (1) |
| European |
5 titles, won by Netherlands (3) and Germany (2) |
| Oceania |
1 title, won by Australia |
| African |
fourth place (Kenya, 1971) |
| Americas |
Sixth place (Argentina, 1986) |
