The Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 pools were announced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Tuesday ahead of the tournament in Belgium and the Netherlands from 15 to 30 August.
According to FIH, the pools of the upcoming extravaganza were revealed at the official draw ceremony held here at the Wagener Stadium, attended by IH President Tayyab Ikram, FIH Vice President and EuroHockey President Marcos Hofman, head coaches and captains of the Dutch and Belgian teams and several other key figures.
This year’s mega event will feature 16 teams, including four-time champions Pakistan, divided into four groups of four.
Pool A features co-hosts Netherlands, Japan, Argentina and New Zealand, while another hosts Belgium and defending champions Germany, along with France and Malaysia from Pool B.
Australia, Spain, Ireland and South Africa are placed in Pool C, while Pool D includes Pakistan, their arch-rivals India, in addition to England and Wales.
According to the tournament’s competition formula, the top two teams from each of the four pools will advance to the next stage, where the eight qualified teams will be further divided into two groups of four.
The top two sides from pools A and D will make up pool E, while pool F will have the top two sides from pools B and C.
Following the conclusion of the second stage, the top two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals, where the winners will lock horns in the final to be played at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium, on 30 August.
It is pertinent to mention that the complete match schedule for FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 will be published in good time.
Pools for FIH World Cup in men’s hockey 2026
- Pool A: Netherlands, Argentina, Japan and New Zealand.
- Pool B: Belgium, Germany, France and Malaysia.
- Pool C: Australia, Spain, Ireland and South Africa.
- Pool D: Pakistan, India, England and Wales.
