The Hockey World Cup 2026 is into its final leg, and there are many things for Indians to watch out for. With joint hosting by Belgium and Netherlands, both men and women competitions are being played between 15 to 30 August 2026.
In India, the success of the men’s team has already produced a stunning victory for Pakistan, and the women’s team has also been grabbing headlines. Here is a simple list for Hockey World Cup 2026 schedule, teams, results, groups, and more.
The 2026 Hockey World Cup at a Glance
Hockey is taking place in Belgium and Netherlands with the help of Wavre and Amstelveen cities respectively.
| Detail | Information |
| Tournament | FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 |
| Hosts | Belgium & Netherlands |
| Dates | 15–30 August 2026 |
| Men’s teams | 16 |
| Women’s teams | 16 |
| Main venues | Wavre & Amstelveen |
| India’s men’s pool | Pool D |
| India’s women’s pool | Pool D |
According to the FIH schedule, both the men’s and women’s tournament will take place between August 15 and 30.
Hockey World Cup 2026 Teams: Who Is Competing?
In both the tournaments, there will be 16 teams playing against each other in four pools.
Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Teams
The men’s pools are:
| Pool | Teams |
| Pool A | Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, Japan |
| Pool B | Belgium, Germany, France, Malaysia |
| Pool C | Australia, Spain, Ireland, South Africa |
| Pool D | England, India, Pakistan, Wales |
India’s Pool D immediately stood out because it brought together India, England, Pakistan and Wales.
Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Teams
The women’s pools are:
| Pool | Teams |
| Pool A | Netherlands, Australia, Chile, Japan |
| Pool B | Argentina, Germany, USA, Scotland |
| Pool C | Belgium, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland |
| Pool D | China, England, India, South Africa |
The Netherlands entered the women’s event as one of the tournament’s major contenders, while India was placed alongside China, England and South Africa.
Hockey World Cup 2026 Schedule: India’s Key Matches
Indian fans have had several important fixtures to follow.
Men’s India Schedule
| Date | Match | Result/Status |
| 15 Aug | India vs Wales | India won 3–1 |
| 17 Aug | India vs England | England won 4–2 |
| 19 Aug | Pakistan vs India | India won 5–3 |
| 22 Aug | Netherlands vs India | Netherlands won 3–1 |
| 24 Aug | Argentina vs India | Upcoming |
Hockey India’s official results confirm India’s 3–1 win over Wales, 2–4 defeat to England, 5–3 win over Pakistan and 1–3 loss to the Netherlands.
The next major men’s fixture is Argentina vs India on 24 August at 18:30 IST.
Women’s India Schedule
India’s women’s team began Pool D with a 2–2 draw against China, followed by a commanding 6–1 win over South Africa and a 0–0 draw against England.
India followed that up by losing to the Dutch team 0–2 in the second round, and drawing 0–0 with Australia on August 23. This was the end of India’s dreams of making the semifinals, because Australia qualified ahead of India on account of their superior goal difference.
Hockey World Cup 2026 Results: India’s Story So Far
The men’s tournament has produced plenty of action.
India opened its campaign strongly with a 3–1 victory over Wales, before England handed the team a 4–2 defeat.
The biggest Indian result came against Pakistan. India managed to secure a win of 5–3, thanks to two goals from Harmanpreet Singh, two goals from Abhishek, and one goal from Hardik Singh.
India played against the Netherlands on 22 August and suffered a defeat by 3–1.
How the New Hockey World Cup Format Works
The 2026 tournament has a different structure from previous editions.
Instead of traditional quarter-finals after the pool stage, teams move into new crossover pools. The format was designed to create additional high-stakes matches before the semifinals.
For the men’s competition, the second stage creates further pools from teams’ positions in the opening pools. The top sides then progress toward the semifinal stage.
That makes the Hockey World Cup 2026 points table particularly important because every result can affect the next phase.
Hockey World Cup 2026 Upcoming Matches
For Indian viewers, 24 August is a major day.
The men’s schedule includes:
- Japan vs Wales — 13:00 IST
- New Zealand vs Pakistan — 16:00 IST
- Argentina vs India — 18:30 IST
- Netherlands vs England — 21:30 IST
These fixtures are listed by Hockey India as the current Stage 2 schedule.
The final weekend is scheduled for 28–30 August, with semifinal and classification fixtures to be determined by the second-stage results.
Where Kheloyaar Fits Into the Hockey Conversation
Sports fans increasingly want one place to follow different competitions, results and match information.
Kheloyaar can appeal to Indian sports-entertainment audiences looking to explore a broader sports-focused online platform. Khelo Yaar and the Kheloyar App can also be mentioned alongside hockey content as fans follow major international tournaments.
Instead of going by the promotional description such as “India’s most trusted platform,” one should be able to conduct their own evaluation through looking at the available facilities of the site.
The priority for all those following hockey has to remain being aware of all the latest official news from the Hockey World Cup.
What Should Indian Fans Watch Next?
There are three aspects to watch out for:
India’s Men’s second stage challenge: The game against Argentina on 24th August is crucial for India in its quest to make the semis.
The Netherlands factor: The Dutch teams will be competing in their own country, which provides them with strong backing in Amstelveen.
The new format: The switch from the quarter-final path to the crossover pools means that the second round can completely reshape the whole tournament.
Keep This Page Handy for the Latest Hockey Action
The Hockey World Cup 2026 is now moving into the crucial part, where India’s men’s team is struggling to qualify for the following rounds but India’s women’s team’s tournament has ended after the match with Australia.
As for the next important match for Indian hockey lovers, the clash between Argentina vs India will take place on 24 August at 6:30 PM IST. Stay tuned to get the latest news and updates till the end of the tournament.
But if you are searching for other sports entertainment venues along with the tournament, then Kheloyaar, Khelo Yaar, and Kheloyar App can also serve your purpose. And when it comes to match information, you should refer to FIH and Hockey India.
FAQs About Hockey World Cup 2026
When is the Hockey World Cup 2026?
The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 is being held from 15 to 30 August 2026 in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Where is the Hockey World Cup 2026 being played?
The primary venues are the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, and Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium.
Who are India’s opponents in the men’s group?
India is in Group D with England, Pakistan and Wales.
When is India’s next men’s Hockey World Cup match?
India’s next listed men’s match is Argentina vs India on 24 August 2026 at 18:30 IST.
How did India perform against Pakistan?
India defeated Pakistan 5–3 on 19 August, securing an important victory in Pool D.
Where can I follow Hockey World Cup 2026 results?
The FIH and Hockey India official match centres provide current fixtures, results and tournament information.
