The global hockey community has its eyes set on the summer of 2026, when the sixteenth edition of the FIH Hockey World Cup for both men and women will take place in a unique cross-border collaboration between Belgium and the Netherlands. Under the overarching motto "Together for Glory", this prestigious event marks the third time in history that both tournaments are organised simultaneously at the same venues, a format previously employed successfully in Utrecht (1998) and The Hague (2014).
From 15 to 30 August 2026, 32 national teams — 16 men's teams and 16 women's teams — will compete for the highest honour in the sport at two iconic venues: the historic Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen and the brand-new Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre.
The Stadiums: Tradition and Innovation
Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen — The Hockey Temple
The Wagener Stadium in the Amsterdamse Bos is more than a sports venue; it is a monument to the sport. For the 2026 World Cup, the stadium has been temporarily expanded to accommodate over 10,000 spectators.
The stadium's acoustics are legendary; the close proximity of the stands to the pitch amplifies the crowd noise, creating an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams. Dutch fans are renowned for their "hockey madness" and turn every match into a festival. In addition to the matches, there will be fan zones with live performances, food markets and interactive hockey activities.
The stadium will serve as the home base for the Dutch teams' pool matches, as well as the semi-finals and the women's final on 29 August 2026.
Belfius Hockey Arena, Wavre — The New Landmark
The Belfius Hockey Arena, located near Brussels, is the result of an ambitious construction project that has delivered Belgium's first purpose-built national hockey stadium. The stadium has been fully transformed into a state-of-the-art facility with a permanent capacity of 4,000 seats, expandable to 10,000 for major events.
The pitch features Poligras hockey turf, the gold standard also used in Amstelveen. The stadium uses an innovative system for rainwater harvesting and an artesian well for pitch irrigation and is fossil-free heated using heat pumps.
During the official opening on April 1, 2026, the Belgian men's and women's teams both defeated their Dutch arch-rivals in front of 4,000 enthusiastic fans. After the World Cup, the stadium will serve as the "Maison du Hockey" for the Red Lions and Red Panthers. The men's final takes place here on August 30, 2026.
New Tournament Format: The Road to the Final
For the 2026 World Cup, the FIH introduces a significant change to the competition format. Where previously the transition from the pool stage to the knockout phase was direct, there is now an intermediate second group stage.
After the first round (four pools of four teams), the top two from each pool advance to a new group stage:
- Qualifiers from Pool A and D form the new Pool E.
- Qualifiers from Pool B and C form the new Pool F.
- Results achieved against teams that also advance to the second phase are carried over.
In this second phase, each team plays two more matches against the new opponents in their pool. Only the best two teams from the new Pools E and F qualify for the semi-finals. This format aims to eliminate "dead rubbers" and guarantees more clashes between the highest-ranked teams. For fans, it means the intensity remains consistently high from the first day to the final.
The Dutch Squads
The definitive squad of 18 players will only be finalised in July 2026. Below are the current core squads based on the 2025-2026 Pro League.
Women's Oranje — Head Coach Raoul Ehren
Head coach Raoul Ehren is currently working with a training squad of 26 to 30 players. The core squad that has been dominant in the 2025-2026 Pro League:
Goalkeepers: Josine Koning (Den Bosch), Anne Veenendaal (Amsterdam).
Defence/Midfield: Xan de Waard (captain, SCHC), Felice Albers (Amsterdam), Pien Sanders (Den Bosch), Sanne Koolen (Den Bosch), Renée van Laarhoven (SCHC), Luna Fokke (Kampong), Rosa Fernig (Den Bosch).
Attack: Frédérique Matla (Den Bosch), Yibbi Jansen (penalty corner specialist, SCHC), Freeke Moes (Amsterdam), Marijn Veen (Amsterdam), Pien Dicke (SCHC), Joosje Burg (Den Bosch).
Men's Oranje — Head Coach Jeroen Delmée
Head coach Jeroen Delmée has broadened his squad to 30 players to manage the physical workload ahead of the World Cup. The key names:
Goalkeepers: Derk Meijer (Rotterdam), Hidde Brink (Kampong), Maurits Visser (Bloemendaal).
Defence/Midfield: Thierry Brinkman (captain, Bloemendaal), Lars Balk (Kampong), Jonas de Geus (Kampong), Justen Blok (Rotterdam), Jorrit Croon (Bloemendaal), Floris Wortelboer (Bloemendaal), Jip Janssen (Kampong).
Attack: Duco Telgenkamp (Kampong), Koen Bijen (Den Bosch), Terrance Pieters (Kampong), Thijs van Dam (Rotterdam), Steijn van Heijningen (Rotterdam).
Talent: Casper van der Veen (Bloemendaal), named world talent of the year last year, is a major new asset in the attacking line.
The Women's Tournament: The Netherlands' Global Dominance Under Pressure
The 2026 women's World Cup is defined by the question of whether the dominance of the Dutch team can be broken on their own hallowed ground in Amstelveen. The Netherlands enter the tournament with a record that includes nine world titles in fifteen editions. However, the rise of the Belgian "Red Panthers" and the resurgence of Argentina and China underscore a more competitive landscape than in previous decades.
The Women's Pool Draw
| Pool | Teams | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Pool A | Netherlands, Australia, Chile, Japan | Amstelveen (NL) |
| Pool B | Argentina, Germany, United States, Scotland | Wavre (BE) |
| Pool C | Belgium, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland | Wavre (BE) |
| Pool D | China, England, India, South Africa | Amstelveen (NL) |
Pool Analysis
In Pool A, reigning champions the Netherlands are joined by Australia, a team that historically has always been a contender for the final four. The presence of Chile in this group is the result of a spectacular qualifying campaign in which they seized the title in Santiago at the expense of bigger powers. Japan complete the group with a playing style built on discipline and technical precision, providing a tactical contrast to the Dutch attacking drive.
Pool B, played in Belgium, is considered the toughest group of the tournament. With Argentina ("Las Leonas") and Germany ("Die Danas") two top-5 nations meet already in the opening phase. The United States, who rediscovered their form during the Pan American Cup, and Scotland, who qualified via a third-place finish in Hyderabad, face the enormous challenge of unseating one of these European or South American giants.
In Pool C, Belgium enjoy home advantage. The "Red Panthers" have closed the gap on the absolute world elite under the impetus of a new generation of talent, as demonstrated by their recent 3-2 victory over the Netherlands during the opening of their new stadium. They face New Zealand in the pool, a physically strong team that qualified via the Oceania Cup, as well as Spain and Ireland. The match against Spain, the reigning European champions, will be crucial for the group win.
Pool D in Amstelveen brings China, risen to fourth in the world rankings through strategic innovation, together with England, India and South Africa. India's qualification via a second-place finish in Hyderabad demonstrates their growing potential, while England are always dangerous thanks to their collective experience and strong organisation.
Women's Qualification Rounds
The road to the 2026 World Cup was paved by intensive qualification tournaments in Santiago (Chile) and Hyderabad (India) in March 2026.
Santiago (Chile)
In Santiago, Chile crowned themselves the great winners by defeating Australia in the final, a result that sent shockwaves around the world.
- Chile — qualified. Natalia Salvador was honoured as best goalkeeper of the tournament.
- Australia — qualified. Neasa Flynn was top scorer with 3 goals.
- Ireland — qualified. Niamh Carey was voted best player.
- Japan — qualified as the highest-ranked fourth-place finisher across both tournaments.
Hyderabad (India)
In Hyderabad, England dominated proceedings by defeating India in the final.
- England — qualified. Flora Peel was named best player of the tournament.
- India — qualified. The young Sunelita Toppo received the best young talent award.
- Scotland — qualified. Nicola Cochrane was voted best goalkeeper.
- Italy — did not qualify.
FIH Pro League: Women's Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Played | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 7 | 24 | +23 |
| 2 | Belgium | 8 | 21 | +10 |
| 3 | Argentina | 7 | 17 | +7 |
| 4 | China | 8 | 14 | -2 |
| 5 | Spain | 8 | 14 | +1 |
The Dutch women are in near-perfect form, having won all seven matches played through the end of February 2026. Their attacking play is driven by Yibbi Jansen, who leads the top scorers list with eight goals, followed by Frédérique Matla with six. A large portion of their goals come from penalty corners.
Belgium follow closely with seven wins from eight matches, reinforcing their status as the Netherlands' primary challenger. Argentina maintain their consistent level, but Germany and Australia show notable inconsistency in their results. The analysis reveals a tactical shift in which teams increasingly invest in quick transitions and high pressing.
The Men's Tournament: An Open Battle Between Global Powers
In the men's competition, the field is more open than ever. Although Germany enter as reigning world champions (Bhubaneswar 2023), their dominance is less pronounced than in the women's game. Belgium, playing on home soil, are widely regarded as the favourites to reclaim their 2018 title, while the Netherlands are building towards a return to the top under a new generation. The presence of India and the return of Pakistan to the world stage add an extra dimension of historic rivalry.
The Men's Pool Draw
| Pool | Teams | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Pool A | Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, Japan | Amstelveen (NL) |
| Pool B | Belgium, Germany, France, Malaysia | Wavre (BE) |
| Pool C | Australia, Spain, Ireland, South Africa | Wavre (BE) |
| Pool D | England, India, Pakistan, Wales | Amstelveen (NL) |
Pool Analysis
In Pool A, the Netherlands face Argentina, a team boasting one of the most dangerous penalty corner flickers in the world: Tomás Domene, who scored no fewer than twelve times in the 2025-2026 Pro League. New Zealand and Japan will try to upset the established order with their tactical discipline and speed on the counter.
Pool B is dominated by the early encounter between the two most recent world champions: Belgium and Germany. France, who have experienced enormous growth, and Malaysia, who qualified as the strongest fourth-place finisher, make this the most competitive group of the tournament.
Pool C provides a platform for Australia's attacking firepower against Spain's technical innovation. Ireland, who won the qualifying tournament in Santiago, and South Africa, the African champions, will battle for the places that grant entry to the second group stage.
Pool D is the most talked-about group due to the reunion of India and Pakistan on the world stage. The rivalry between these two nations dates back to 1956 and is one of the most watched sporting events in the world. Although Pakistan historically holds a slight edge in head-to-head encounters (82 wins to 67 for India), India have a better record at recent World Cups. England are the strongest team on paper in this group (world number 4), while Wales hope to use their stubborn defensive style to frustrate the bigger nations.
Men's Qualification Rounds
Santiago (Chile)
In Santiago, it was Ireland who ran the show. The Irish men, known as the "Green Machine", won the qualifying tournament by defeating France in the final. Scottish player Jamie Golden was the standout star with 9 goals, although Scotland as a collective failed to qualify.
- Ireland — qualified. Jamie Carr was voted best goalkeeper.
- France — qualified. François Goyet was named best player of the tournament.
- Wales — qualified.
- Korea — did not qualify.
Ismailia (Egypt)
In Ismailia, Pakistan celebrated their return to the world stage by reaching the final, where they lost to a dominant England. For Pakistan, this is a crucial moment; after missing previous major tournaments, this qualification represents a restoration of their national hockey status.
- England — qualified.
- Pakistan — qualified.
- Japan — qualified after a thrilling 5-4 victory over Malaysia.
- Malaysia — qualified as the strongest fourth-place finisher across both tournaments.
FIH Pro League: Men's Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Played | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium | 8 | 22 | +16 |
| 2 | Australia | 8 | 21 | +13 |
| 3 | Argentina | 8 | 17 | +11 |
| 4 | Netherlands | 8 | 15 | +8 |
| 5 | England | 8 | 15 | +3 |
Belgium are currently the team to beat. With seven wins from eight matches and a goal difference of +16, they demonstrate an efficiency that is unmatched both defensively and offensively. The role of Alexander Hendrickx remains crucial; his ability to convert penalty corners (8 of his 9 goals came from PCs) is a strategic weapon every team must account for.
Australia remain a formidable contender with six wins, as their aggressive pressing and physical playing style trouble many teams. Argentina surprise in third place, largely thanks to Tomás Domene's prolific scoring. A notable trend is the increase in shoot-outs to force decisions, pointing to an ever-narrowing gap between the top teams. England have specialised in this with three wins after regulation-time draws.
Organisation and Inclusivity
The 2026 World Cup aims to be more than just a sporting tournament; it is a platform for social progress. The organisation underscores this through the integration of the first FIH ParaHockey World Championship for athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID). The finals of this tournament will be played on the same pitch as the World Cup finals, a historic gesture that enshrines the values of diversity and inclusion within the sport of hockey.
The official mascot for the 2026 World Cup features a playful and energetic duo. Their round shape, symbolising both a hockey ball and the globe, reflects the unity and connecting power of the sport. In March and April 2026, a global campaign was launched in which fans could vote on the mascots' names.
The FIH and the organising federations are investing heavily in digitalisation. All matches will be available live via the Watch.Hockey app, giving fans access to exclusive statistics and camera angles. The innovative "RefCam" will also be used, in which referees wear a camera to give fans a unique perspective.
For fans attending matches in person, various ticket packages are available. In addition to day tickets, there are "Follow Your Team" passes, which guarantee supporters a seat at all of their national team's matches, regardless of the results in the pool stage.
Enjoy the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026!
The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Belgium and the Netherlands promises to be a sporting and organisational highlight. The analysis leads to some sharp conclusions:
The Dutch women versus the world: Although the Netherlands remain the towering favourite, the Pro League shows that Belgium is closing the gap. The home crowd factor in Amstelveen will be a great psychological boost in the final. Come and cheer them on!
The Belgian men and their last hurrah: For many players of Belgium's "Golden Generation", 2026 is the last chance for a major title on home soil. Their experience and the qualities of Hendrickx and Boon make them the team to beat. The Dutch team, as reigning Olympic champions, will naturally look to prove themselves once again. Exciting matches ahead!
Take a look at the brilliant success of the men's and women's teams at the most recent Olympic Games. Will they repeat that result?
The Asian rise: China (women) and India (men) are no longer "outsiders" but serious podium candidates who have tactically grown to match the European nations.
Historic derby: The India-Pakistan match on August 19, 2026 in Amstelveen will be one of the most-watched hockey matches ever, with an emotional intensity that transcends the sport.
South American fire: Argentina is always a country with strong hockey teams in both the women's and men's game. Physical play, always full of fire.
With a mix of tradition at the Wagener Stadium and the ultra-modern facilities of the Belfius Hockey Arena, the infrastructure is ready to host the world's best. The motto "Together for Glory" is not merely a marketing slogan, but a reflection of a sport that has matured and proudly shows its diverse and inclusive character to a worldwide audience. Check the schedule here and visit the official website for the latest updates, tickets and more.