It was scheduled to be held from 5 to 16 December 2021 in Potchefstroom, South Africa.[1][2] Because of a new COVID-19 variant, the tournament was put on hold on 26 November 2021 and later postponed, with the option to be hosted by South Africa.[3][4] On 10 January 2022 it was announced the tournament will take place from 2 to 13 April 2022 at the original venue.[5] In February the tournament was moved one day forward to start on 1 and end on 12 April 2022.[6]
Argentina were the defending champions. They were defeated 4–1 in the quarter-finals by Germany. The Netherlands won a record fourth title by defeating Germany 3–1 in the final.
A total of 16 teams qualified for the final tournament. In addition to South Africa, who qualified automatically as hosts, 15 other teams qualified from five separate continental competitions.[7]
^[1] – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the African Hockey Federation were forced to cancel the Junior Africa Cup. As a result, Zimbabwe were award the second African quota as they were 2016 runner–up.[8]
^[2] – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Hockey Federation had decided to cancel the 2021 Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup and 2021 Women's Hockey Junior Asia Cup. Thus AHF designed a system to decide who earns the quota place for Asia. Where in the end China, India, and Japan were awarded the three quota places for the women's tournament. China later withdrew, being replaced by South Korea.[9]
^[3] – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia and New Zealand decided to cancel the 2021 Junior Oceania Cup. The FIH replaced them with Argentina and Ireland.[10]
^[4] – Following a rescheduling of the event, Belgium, Japan, the Netherlands and Spain withdrew from the tournament. After negotiations with the FIH however, the Netherlands rejoined the competition, with Malaysia, Ukraine and Wales replacing the remaining teams.[11][12][13]
^[5] – On 1 March 2022, the FIH announced the exclusion of Russia from the event. Following advice from the International Olympic Committee, international sporting bodies were advised to avoid participation of Russian athletes in all sports in light of the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis. The FIH also offered full support to Ukraine in the hopes they will still be able to participate.[14] Austria replaced them.[15]
As per statistical convention in field hockey, matches decided in extra time are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by penalty shoot-outs are counted as draws.