A historic rivalry resurfaces
The 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup will be staged jointly in Wavre, Belgium, and Amstelveen, The Netherlands, from 15 to 30 August, bringing together the world’s top men’s teams in a revamped competition structure.
Pool D will feature a much‑anticipated encounter between India and Pakistan, marking their first meeting in a World Cup since 2010 and adding a fresh chapter to a rivalry that has seen India win three of the five all‑time World Cup clashes.
The tournament adopts a crossover‑pool format, doing away with the traditional quarterfinal round and reshaping the path to the semifinals.
Germany enter the event as reigning men’s champions from 2023, while the Netherlands defend their women’s title from 2022, setting the stage for competitive contests on both sides.
India’s last World Cup triumph came in 1975, a solitary crown that sits alongside a record eight Olympic gold medals, whereas Pakistan boasts four World Cup titles of their own, underscoring the prestige of the rivalry.
The schedule also includes an opening match between India and Wales on 15 August, with subsequent fixtures leading through the crossover stage toward the final.
The India‑Pakistan showdown is slated for 19 August at Wagener Stadium, kicking off at 15:00 local time, promising a high‑stakes encounter that fans have awaited for years.