FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Draw: India Placed In Challenging Groups In Men’s And Women’s Events

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The draw for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 was officially conducted in Amsterdam, setting the stage for a blockbuster tournament to be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30, 2026.

Held at the iconic Wagener Stadium, the ceremony on Monday (March 17) determined the pool compositions for both men's and women's events, with India placed in competitive groups in both categories.

India Women In Pool D

The Indian women's national field hockey team have been drawn in Pool D, alongside:

• China women's national field hockey team
• England women's national field hockey team
• South Africa women's national field hockey team

All matches in this pool will be played in the Netherlands.

India faces a challenging group, particularly with England and China expected to be strong contenders. South Africa, meanwhile, could pose an unpredictable threat. A consistent run will be key for India to progress to the knockout stages.

India And Pakistan Men Drawn In Pool D

The Indian men's national field hockey team have been placed in a high-profile Pool D, featuring:

• England men's national field hockey team
• Pakistan men's national field hockey team
• Wales men's national field hockey team

This pool will also be played in the Netherlands.

The standout fixture will be the India vs Pakistan clash, one of hockey's most storied rivalries. However, the two teams come into the tournament with contrasting recent form. Pakistan's men's team has struggled for consistency in recent years, while India has maintained a strong record against their neighbours in major international competitions.

England will provide stiff competition with their structured European style, while Wales could emerge as a potential disruptor in the group.

Full Pool Breakdown

Women's Pools

• Pool A: Netherlands, Australia, Chile, Japan
• Pool B: Argentina, Germany, USA, Scotland
• Pool C: Belgium, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland
• Pool D: China, England, India, South Africa

Men's Pools

• Pool A: Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, Japan
• Pool B: Belgium, Germany, France, Malaysia
• Pool C: Australia, Spain, Ireland, South Africa
• Pool D: England, India, Pakistan, Wales

Grand FIH Draw Ceremony in Amsterdam

The draw ceremony featured hockey legends such as Teun de Nooijer, Naomie van As and Barbara Neelen, alongside senior officials including Tayyab Ikram.

FIH President Ikram said: "Today's draw marks another major milestone on the road to the most prestigious FIH event. In today's fractured world, sport can play a substantial role in bringing people together."

Tournament Details

The tournament will be played across two venues:
• Wagener Stadium, Amsterdam
• Belfius Hockey Arena, Wavre

The full match schedule is set to be announced on March 18.

With competitive pools, historic rivalries and top teams in action, the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 promises a high-quality contest, with India aiming to make a strong impact in both the men's and women's tournaments.