India will begin its campaign for a second men’s Hockey World Cup title when it takes on Wales on August 15 at the Wagener Stadion in Amstelveen. India’s last World Cup triumph came in 1975, and the 2026 edition offers the team another opportunity to end a 51-year wait for the prestigious title.
The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 will be played from August 15 to 30 across Amstelveen in the Netherlands and Wavre in Belgium. Defending champions Germany, hosts Belgium and the Netherlands are among the leading contenders in a highly competitive 16-team tournament.
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India will face Wales, England and Pakistan in the group stage. After opening against Wales, India will meet England on August 17 before facing Pakistan on August 19.
The group stage will run until August 20, followed by the crossover round from August 21 to 24. The classification matches and semifinals will be played on August 28 and 29, before the tournament concludes with the third-place playoff and final on August 30.
India’s Group-Stage Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 15 | India vs Wales | Wagener Stadion, Amstelveen | 4:30 PM |
| August 17 | India vs England | Wagener Stadion, Amstelveen | 6:30 PM |
| August 19 | Pakistan vs India | Wagener Stadion, Amstelveen | 6:30 PM |
Full Group-Stage Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15 | Germany vs Malaysia | Belfius Arena | 6:00 PM |
| Aug 15 | England vs Pakistan | Wagener Stadion | 10:30 PM |
| Aug 15 | Belgium vs France | Belfius Arena | 12:30 AM |
| Aug 16 | Australia vs Ireland | Belfius Arena | 3:00 PM |
| Aug 16 | Spain vs South Africa | Belfius Arena | 6:00 PM |
| Aug 16 | Netherlands vs New Zealand | Wagener Stadion | 7:30 PM |
| Aug 16 | Argentina vs Japan | Wagener Stadion | 10:30 PM |
| Aug 17 | Pakistan vs Wales | Wagener Stadion | 4:00 PM |
| Aug 17 | France vs Malaysia | Belfius Arena | 5:30 PM |
| Aug 17 | India vs England | Wagener Stadion | 6:30 PM |
| Aug 17 | Germany vs Belgium | Belfius Arena | 12:00 AM |
| Aug 18 | New Zealand vs Japan | Wagener Stadion | 1:00 PM |
| Aug 18 | Spain vs Australia | Belfius Arena | 5:30 PM |
| Aug 18 | Ireland vs South Africa | Belfius Arena | 8:30 PM |
| Aug 18 | Argentina vs Netherlands | Wagener Stadion | 9:30 PM |
| Aug 19 | England vs Wales | Wagener Stadion | 4:00 PM |
| Aug 19 | Pakistan vs India | Wagener Stadion | 6:30 PM |
| Aug 19 | France vs Germany | Belfius Arena | 8:30 PM |
| Aug 19 | Belgium vs Malaysia | Belfius Arena | 12:00 AM |
| Aug 20 | Australia vs South Africa | Belfius Arena | 2:30 PM |
| Aug 20 | New Zealand vs Argentina | Wagener Stadion | 4:00 PM |
| Aug 20 | Ireland vs Spain | Belfius Arena | 8:30 PM |
| Aug 20 | Netherlands vs Japan | Wagener Stadion | 9:30 PM |
