The FIH Hockey Men’s and Women’s World Cup 2026 will be hosted jointly by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30. The matches will be played in Wavre, Belgium, and Amstelveen, Netherlands.
India will feature in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, with Harmanpreet Singh leading the men’s team and Salima Tete captaining the women’s side.
The Indian men’s team has been placed in Pool D alongside England, Pakistan and Wales. The Indian women’s team will also compete in Pool D, alongside China, England and South Africa.
The Indian men’s team will begin its campaign against Wales on August 15, while the women’s team will start against China on August 16.
New format for Hockey World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup will feature a new competition format, with 16 teams initially divided into four pools of four teams each. Every team will play three matches in the opening phase.
The top two teams from each pool will advance to the crossover pools, while the teams finishing third and fourth will also continue in the competition but will play for their final rankings rather than the title.
In the second phase, the teams will be divided into Pools E, F, G and H.
Pool E will feature the first- and second-placed teams from Pools A and D, while Pool F will consist of the first- and second-placed teams from Pools B and C.
Pool G will have the third- and fourth-placed teams from Pools A and D, while Pool H will feature the third- and fourth-placed teams from Pools B and C.
The top two teams from Pools E and F will qualify directly for the semi-finals. Teams in Pools G and H will play for their final positions, meaning there will be no quarter-finals in the 2026 edition.
India’s men’s squad
Goalkeepers: Mohith HS, Suraj Karkera
Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Yashdeep Siwach
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwards: Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek
India’s women’s squad
Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Shilpi Dabas
Midfielders: Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (captain), Neha, Deepika Soreng
Forwards: Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Beauty Dungdung
Match Schedule
India men’s fixtures:
August 15: India vs Wales
August 17: India vs England
August 19: India vs Pakistan
India women’s fixtures:
August 16: India vs China
August 18: India vs South Africa
August 20: India vs England
Where to watch Hockey World Cup 2026
The Hockey World Cup 2026 will be available on Star Sports Select 2 SD and HD on television. The matches will also be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website.
