THE DRAW CEREMONY for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, to be hosted by Belgium and Netherlands, was held at the iconic Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam, one of the two venues set to stage matches during the tournament.
India’s men’s team has been placed in a group alongside England, Pakistan and Wales, with their fixtures scheduled to be played in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the India women’s team has been drawn with China, England and South Africa, and will also play their matches in the Netherlands.
The tournament will take place from 15 to 30 August, with matches hosted across Amsterdam and Wavre. The complete match schedule is expected to be announced on 18 March.
Organisers also unveiled a key element of the tournament’s fan engagement: two lively mascots designed to embody the joy, teamwork and spirit of hockey. Round, much like a hockey ball and the globe itself, the mascots symbolise the sport’s ability to connect people from all corners of the world. A fan-driven campaign will soon be launched inviting supporters to suggest names for the mascots.
FIH president Tayyab Ikram said, “Today’s draw marks another major milestone on the road to the most prestigious FIH event, the FIH Hockey World Cup! The upcoming edition, for both women and men, co-hosted by two hockey powerhouses, promises to be a resounding success. We are very grateful to both Belgium and the Netherlands for hosting our top athletes and the global hockey community in less than six months’ time. In today’s fractured world, sport and events such as this in particular can play a substantial role in bringing people together. It can foster peace at times when our world is torn apart by conflict. I invite all fans around the world to join in, and I already wish all participating athletes an unforgettable experience!”
