Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has officially announced the full schedule for the upcoming Hockey World Cup 2026, setting the stage for a thrilling tournament to be held from 15 to 30 August across Belgium and the Netherlands. The tournament draw has placed both Indian men’s and women’s teams in challenging group-stage fixtures featuring some of the strongest international sides.

The men’s team of India national field hockey team, the campaign will begin on 15 August in Amstelveen, where they will face Wales national field hockey team in their opening match at 16:30 local time. The second group-stage encounter will take place on 17 August against a formidable England national field hockey team at 18:30, followed by one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament against arch-rivals Pakistan national field hockey team on 19 August, also scheduled for 18:30. All three matches for the men’s side will be played at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen.

The women’s team of India women's national field hockey team will also begin their World Cup journey at the same venue. They open their campaign on 16 August against China women's national field hockey team at 16:30, followed by a crucial match against South Africa women's national field hockey team on 18 August at 18:30. Their final group-stage fixture will be played on 20 August against England women's national field hockey team, also at 18:30.

With all matches scheduled at Amstelveen’s Wagener Stadium, both Indian squads will enjoy consistency in venue conditions but will face intense competition throughout the group stage. The fixtures promise high-voltage encounters, particularly the men’s clash against Pakistan, which is expected to be one of the most-watched matches of the tournament.

Hockey fans across the world are eagerly awaiting the action-packed August schedule that could define the path to World Cup glory for India’s men’s and women’s teams alike.