ISLAMABAD: The pools for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 were announced on Tuesday by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), ahead of the tournament scheduled in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30.
The official draw ceremony took place at the Wagener Stadium and was attended by FIH President Tayyab Ikram, FIH Vice-President and EuroHockey President Marcos Hofman, head coaches, captains of the Netherlands and Belgium teams, and other officials.
This year’s event will feature 16 teams, including four-time champions Pakistan, divided into four pools of four. Pool A comprises co-hosts Netherlands, Japan, Argentina, and New Zealand, while Pool B includes Belgium, defending champions Germany, France, and Malaysia. Pool C features Australia, Spain, Ireland, and South Africa. Pakistan has been drawn in Pool D alongside arch-rivals India, England, and Wales.
According to the tournament format, the top two teams from each pool will advance to the second stage, forming two new groups of four — Pool E and Pool F. Pool E will feature the top two sides from Pool A and Pool D, while Pool F will include the top two sides from Pool B and Pool C. The top two teams from each second-stage pool will advance to the semi-finals, with the winners set to contest the final at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium, on August 30.
The complete match schedule for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 will be announced in due course.
Pools for FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026:
- Pool A: Netherlands, Argentina, Japan, New Zealand
- Pool B: Belgium, Germany, France, Malaysia
- Pool C: Australia, Spain, Ireland, South Africa
- Pool D: Pakistan, India, England, Wales