FIH was founded on 7 January 1924 in Paris by Paul Léautey, who became the first president, in response to field hockey's omission from the programme of the 1924 Summer Olympics.

[4] In 1982, the FIH merged with the International Federation of Women's Hockey Associations (IFWHA), which had been founded in 1927 by Australia, Denmark, England, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, the United States, and Wales.

This includes Great Britain which is recognised as an adherent member of FIH, the team was represented at the Olympics and the Champions Trophy.

England, Scotland and Wales are also represented by separate teams in FIH sanctioned tournaments.

FIH has twelve Honorary awards given to people who have made outstanding contributions to field hockey.