India lost 3-4 via penalties, after the match ended in a 3-3 draw, to Belgium to finish eighth in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 on Friday. The Harmanpreet Singh-led side was facing the host in the 7/8th classification match but failed to get a win away. With this result, the Indian team only slightly bettered last edition’s ninth-place finish.
India’s finishes at all Men’s Hockey World Cup editions
- 1971 (Spain) — 3rd
- 1973 (Netherlands) — 2nd
- 1975 (Malaysia) — 1st
- 1978 (Argentina) — 6th
- 1982 (India) — 5th
- 1986 (England) — 12th
- 1990 (Pakistan) — 10th
- 1994 (Australia) — 5th
- 1998 (Netherlands) — 9th
- 2002 (Malaysia) — 10th
- 2006 (Germany) — 11th
- 2010 (India) — 8th
- 2014 (Netherlands) — 9th
- 2018 (India) — 6th place
- 2023 (India) — 9th place
- 2026 (Belgium and Netherlands) — 8th
Published on Aug 28, 2026
