The FIH today announced that Brazil will take the place of the Cuba at the Olympic Qualification Tournament in Kakamigahara, Japan from April 26 - May 6, 2012.

Brazil, the host nation of the 2016 Olympics, was the highest ranked team of the reserve nations contacted and was able to join the six team men’s qualification group after the Cuba unexpectedly pulled out of the event.

 “This a great chance for Brazil to get experience in a major international event,” said FIH CEO Kelly Fairweather. “We are sorry that Cuba was unable to participate but I can think of no better team to step in than Brazil.”

The tournament in Japan will feature a six-team round robin format. Austria, China, the Czech Republic, Japan, South Africa and now Brazil will be battling for the last remaining spot in the London Games.  Following the round robin, the teams ranked first and second will play for a berth to the London 2012 Olympic Games. The remaining four teams will play placement games for FIH World Ranking points. South Africa is the highest ranked team in the group, coming in at #12 in the FIH World Ranking.

To view the new schedule for the Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan, please click here.