Sixteen teams, four pools, one format overhaul — the men’s draw for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 has set the terms for a tournament that will not look like any of its predecessors.
Co-hosts Belgium and the Netherlands stage the event from August 15 to 30, and for the first time in the competition’s history, there is no quarterfinal stage standing between the pools and the semifinals.
Team India will start its campaign against Wales on August 15.
MEN’S FIH HOCKEY WORLD CUP GROUPS:
Pool A: Argentina, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand
Pool B: Belgium, France, Germany, Malaysia
Pool C: Australia, Spain, Ireland, South Africa
Pool D: England, India, Pakistan, Wales
Published on Aug 11, 2026
