Traditional rivals India and Pakistan have been grouped together in Pool D for the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026. The matches will take place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, during the event jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30, 2026.
In the 16-team draw, England and Wales join India and Pakistan in Pool D. India faces a tough challenge as they aim to secure a direct spot in the quarterfinals by outperforming England and Pakistan. The second and third-placed teams in each group will compete in Cross-Over matches for a place in the top-eight stage.
For the Women’s FIH World Cup, scheduled alongside the men’s event, the Indian women’s team will compete against England, China, and South Africa in Pool D. Recently, the Indian women’s hockey team finished as runners-up in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, losing 0-2 to England in the final.
An official draw ceremony held in Amsterdam revealed the groupings for the upcoming World Cup. India and Pakistan’s placement in the same Pool sets the stage for an intense rivalry, marking their first meeting in the first round since the 2010 edition in New Delhi.
Defending champions Germany will face tough competition in Pool B, including hosts Belgium, France, and Malaysia. Meanwhile, the Netherlands will contend with Argentina, New Zealand, and Japan in Pool A. The draw ceremony featured international hockey legends and highlighted the significance of the upcoming event in uniting global hockey enthusiasts.
