The old foes, once the masters of the game, will clash on the opening day in a marquee match that organisers claim had been sold out at the 19,000-seater Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

"It is one of the most important matches of my life," said Zeeshan. "Hope I can gift myself a win because no team can afford to lose the first match of a tournament."

The eagerly awaited match gives both sides a chance to shine on the world stage after struggling to keep pace with European and Australian rivals over the past two decades.

India, who won the last of their eight Olympic gold medals in 1980, failed to qualify for the Beijing Games and earned a World Cup berth only by virtue of being the hosts.

Pakistan, whose four World Cup titles are unmatched, have not won a major tournament since their last Cup win in Sydney in 1994 and finished eighth -- their lowest Olympic placing -- in Beijing.

Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan admitted the 12-nation tournament could make or break the Asian giants.

"We need to revive hockey in both India and Pakistan and the World Cup is our best chance to turn the corner," the former goalkeeper said.

"The first game is crucial. India have the home advantage, but the pressure of performing in front of their home crowd could work in our favour."

Khan was in the squad in 1982 when Pakistan thrashed India 7-1 in the Asian Games final at the same Dhyan Chand stadium in New Delhi and also won the World Cup in Mumbai the same year.