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The Indoor Hockey World Cup was due to take place in February next year, but has now been postponed by 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia has welcomed the decision to postpone the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Belgium to 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tournament was originally scheduled for February next year, but will now be held from February 2-6 in 2022.

Australia's men's and women's teams had started to ramp up their preparations for the tournament after details were announced in April, but the global pandemic has forced the International Hockey Federation to postpone the event.

Hockey Australia chief executive Matt Favier felt it was the right decision.

Steve Willer, coach of the Australian men's indoor hockey team, says the extra year could help his outfit improve on the fourth-placed finish at the last Indoor World Cup in 2018.

"The Indoor Hockey World Cup is an internationally recognised event where the huge spectator presence plays a key role in the tournament's atmosphere," Willer said.

"With the current uncertainties facing all teams, players, officials and fans around the globe, it is essential to protect the health and well-being of everyone involved. Playing the tournament in February 2022 will assist in creating more certainty."

The next FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup will be the sixth edition of the showpiece event, the tournament seeing 12 teams compete in both the men's and women's competitions.

"It was always difficult to see how the World Cup could go ahead given the current circumstances the world faces with COVID-19," Australia's women's indoor head coach Mark Sandhu said.

"I really do feel sad for the players and teams who were preparing for this event. Our squad has been working via WebEx meetings on tactical preparedness as well as improving their fitness and strength since January with very good results."