Pakistan and England have clinched their spots in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 after winning their semi-final matches at the qualifying tournament in Ismailia, Egypt. England dominated Malaysia with a 7-1 victory, while Pakistan secured a narrow 4-3 win over Japan. The two teams will face off in the final on Saturday.
In another match in Ismailia, Egypt defeated Austria 4-0 and will now compete against China for fifth place. Malaysia and Japan still have a chance to qualify for the World Cup by winning the bronze medal playoff, with the highest-ranked fourth-place team across all qualifying tournaments also earning a spot.
England displayed strong possession and territorial advantage against Malaysia, eventually securing a 7-1 win. Despite a resilient Malaysian defense in the first half, England’s goals in the third quarter sealed their victory. Malaysia managed to score one goal, but England finished with a commanding lead.
Former champions Pakistan staged a thrilling comeback against Japan, securing a 4-3 victory to secure their World Cup spot. After a tense match with Japan taking the lead, Pakistan rallied with late goals to secure the win. The match ended with high drama as Pakistan’s goalkeeper made a crucial save to maintain their lead.
