India to meet Pakistan on Aug.19 at Hockey WC; eves start quest vs China

World No 8 India will meet arch-rivals Pakistan in a Pool D match at 6.30 pm IST on August 19 in the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen.

India are clubbed together with neighbours and four-time World Cup winner Pakistan in Pool D, along with Wales and England in the four-team Pool from which the top-placed team will qualify for the quarterfinals, while the next two placed teams will figure in Cross-Over matches.

After a thrilling draw ceremony held at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam on Tuesday, where participating teams and athletes discovered their opponents for the group stage, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has now confirmed the match schedule for the World Cup.

The 1975 World Cup winner India will start their campaign in the 16-team men’s competition against Wales on August 15, the opening day of the FIH Hockey World Cup, at 4.30 pm IST, and will run into fourth-ranked England on Aug.17 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen

England will play Pakistan in another key match of Pool D on Aug.15.

The first round matches will be held till August 20, and the knock-out stage matches will be played from Aug.21.

Meanwhile, the Indian women’s hockey team will start their campaign against World No.4 and Asian Champion China at the Wagner Stadium in Amsterdam on Aug.16.

They will run into South Africa, the only team ranked lower than them in World Rankings, on Aug.18 before winding off their first round proceedings with a clash with World No. 7 England, the team to which they lost in the World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad, India, on Aug.20.

The Men’s and Women’s Hockey World Cups, being jointly held for the first time by Belgium and the Netherlands, will start with Australia women meeting Japan Women in the tournament opener on August 15.

In all, six matches, three each in men’s and women’s sections, will be played at two venues -- Wagner Stadium in Amstelveen and Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium -- on the opening day of the competitions, which will be held from August 15 to 30.

India, along with the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Australia, Ireland, Argentina, Spain, New Zealand, Japan, and South Africa have qualified in both men’s and women’s sections of the competition. The Indian men made it by winning the Asia Cup, while the women’s team made it by finishing second in the Qualifying tournament held in Hyderabad, Telangana.

After the pool draw and schedule for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 were announced, Indian men’s team head coach Craig Fulton highlighted the squad’s tailored and detailed preparation to embrace the challenge of facing the best teams in the tournament.

India have been drawn alongside top-seeded England, arch-rivals Pakistan, and an emerging Wales side, with all their group-stage matches scheduled at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen.

“We’re excited. It’s a strong group, but that’s exactly what you want at a World Cup — to be tested against the best,” Fulton said. “The mood in the camp is very positive. The players are motivated and hungry, and knowing our opponents now gives us real clarity and focus going into our preparation.”

Analysing the varied tactical challenges Pool D presents, the Fulton emphasised the need for adaptability and respect for each team’s unique style of play.

“England are a well-organised, physical side who are also top seed in our pool. Pakistan bring flair, unpredictability, and a rich hockey tradition — never a side to take lightly. Wales are making their mark on the international stage and will be full of energy and determination,” Fulton explained.

Agencies