By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: The record four-time world champions Pakistan, which will make their long-awaited return to the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, have been drawn alongside arch-rivals and the 1975 edition champions India, England and Wales in a heavyweight Pool D for the 2026 tournament to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Green-shirts, which missed the previous edition after they failed to qualify, face an immediate test of their resurgence in a group that combines history, rivalry and elite European opposition. Pool D matches will be staged in the Netherlands, one of the two co-hosts of the tournament.
Pakistan’s clash with India is expected to headline the group stage, rekindling one of hockey’s most storied rivalries while the 1986 edition’s runners-up England’s consistency at major tournaments presents another formidable hurdle. Wales complete the group as potential spoilers in a pool widely seen as one of the most competitive in the draw.
The official draw ceremony was held at Amsterdam’s Wagener Stadium, an iconic venue that will host part of the tournament, alongside the newly constructed Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium.
Last edition’s runners-up Belgium will begin their journey on home soil in Pool B where they have been grouped with defending champions Germany, France and Malaysia. Belgium, who lifted their maiden world crown in 2018 in India, are among the favourites again, bolstered by home support.
Hosts and three-time world champions Netherlands headline Pool A and will take on Argentina, New Zealand and Japan, while Pool C features three-time world champions Australia, Spain, Ireland and South Africa, with fixtures in Belgium.
The draw was conducted by former international players Naomie van As, Barbara Neelen and Teun de Nooijer, with Dutch DJ La Fuente also participating after being named a World Cup ambassador.
The ceremony was attended by leading figures from global hockey, including FIH President Tayyab Ikram, who emphasised the broader significance of the event.
“Today’s draw marks another major milestone on the road to the most prestigious FIH event, the FIH Hockey World Cup,” Ikram said. “In today’s fractured world, sport — and events such as this in particular — can play a substantial role in bringing people together.”
Also present were senior officials from the international federation and national associations, team captains from both host nations, head coaches, local authorities and commercial partners.
Co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, both established hockey powerhouses, the 2026 edition is expected to attract global attention, with top teams competing across two venues in less than six months’ time.
For Pakistan, the tournament represents more than just a return — it is an opportunity to restore past glory in a competition they once dominated. However, their path out of Pool D will require overcoming two of the world’s strongest teams and navigating one of the toughest groups in the competition.
With defending champions Germany aiming to retain their crown and traditional giants like the Netherlands, Australia and Belgium also in contention, the stage is set for a fiercely contested World Cup.
The FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 will be held in Amsterdam and Wavre from August 15-30, 2026.
The full match schedule will be announced tomorrow.
Groups:
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
