AMSTERDAM: Pakistan and India have been drawn in the same pool for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) revealed the pool allocations during the official draw ceremony held at Wagener Stadium, attended by key officials, including FIH President Tayyab Ikram, EuroHockey President Marcos Hofman, and team representatives from participating nations.
The 16-team tournament will feature four groups of four. Pool A includes co-hosts the Netherlands, along with Japan, Argentina and New Zealand. Pool B comprises co-hosts Belgium, defending champions Germany, France and Malaysia.
Complete match schedule
Pool C features Australia, Spain, Ireland and South Africa, while Pool D includes Pakistan and arch-rivals India, alongside England and Wales.
According to the tournament format, the top two teams from each pool will progress to the next stage, where they will be divided into two groups of four. Teams from Pools A and D will form one group, while qualifiers from Pools B and C will make up the other.
Following the second stage, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. The final is scheduled to take place at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium, on August 30.
The complete match schedule for the tournament is expected to be announced at a later stage.
