FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Schedule: Full Fixtures, Groups and India Match Dates (Men)

The stage is almost set. Two weeks ago, Belgium opened the doors of the brand new Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre to 4000 fans for the first time. In Amstelveen, the iconic Wagener Stadium is ready. Defending champions Germany, Olympic champions Netherlands and the 14 other competing nations are making their final preparations for the biggest tournament in field hockey, the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026.

The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 begins on August 15 and runs until August 30 across two world class venues in Belgium and the Netherlands. Now, as the countdown begins, the structure of the tournament becomes just as important as the teams themselves.

For India, the tournament carries special significance. The men’s team opens their campaign on August 15, India’s Independence Day. India last won the World Cup in 1975. After 51 years, a new chapter begins on a fitting day.

Tournament Format

The 2026 edition has removed the quarterfinal stage that existed in 2023.

The format works like this. In the group stage, 16 teams are divided into four pools of four. Every team plays the other three in their pool once. The top two from each pool advance to the second round. The bottom two go into classification pools to determine final rankings from 9th to 16th place.

In the second round, the eight qualified teams are split into two new pools of four, called Pool E and Pool F. Each team plays two new matches against opponents from a different original pool. The top two from Pool E and the top two from Pool F go straight to the semifinals. From there it is standard knockout, semifinals, bronze medal match and the final.

Read More: India’s Big Call: Chase World Cup Glory or Secure Olympic Qualification?

This means every group stage match carries more weight than before. There is no single elimination safety net. You have to earn your place across multiple matches.

The Groups

Pool A: Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, Japan playing in Amstelveen

Pool B: Belgium, Germany, France, Malaysia playing in Wavre

Pool C: Australia, Spain, Ireland, South Africa playing in Wavre

Pool D: England, India, Pakistan, Wales playing in Amstelveen

Group Stage Schedule

All dates and times are in IST. India’s matches are highlighted in green.

Second Round – Pool E and Pool F

Top two from Pool A and Pool D form Pool E. Top two from Pool B and Pool C form Pool F. Top two from each second round pool advance to the semifinals. All times in IST.

Classification Matches – Positions 9 to 16

Third and fourth placed teams from each group compete here to determine final rankings from 9th to 16th place. All times in IST.

Semifinals, Bronze Medal and Final

All knockout matches at Belfius Hockey Arena, Wavre. All times in IST.

India’s Chances

India have been placed in a relatively easier pool. England are the top seeds and will be the only real test in the group stage, but as we have seen in the past, India are capable of getting results against them. Pakistan have only recently returned to international hockey and have been quite inconsistent. They still need a lot of match practice before they can seriously challenge India. Wales are competitive but not at a level where they can cause India major problems. India should qualify from Pool D comfortably, and qualifying as group winners would be the ideal outcome given how the second round draws work.

The second round is where India’s campaign gets genuinely interesting. Pool E will feature the top two from Pool A, which means Netherlands and Argentina are the likely opponents. Netherlands are Olympic champions and playing on home soil. Argentina are one of the best sides in the world right now. India will need to be at their very best to make the semifinals.

For a detailed analysis of India’s World Cup chances, stay tuned to GiveMeHockey.com.

Where to Watch

All matches will be live streamed on Watch.Hockey globally. Fans can purchase a World Cup pass at watch.hockey. India broadcast details have not been confirmed yet. This article will be updated once an official Indian broadcaster is announced.

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Note: All dates and times are in Indian Standard Time (IST). Second round and knockout fixtures show pool positions as teams are to be determined. This article will be updated as the tournament progresses.