Get ready for a sensational fortnight of world-class field hockey!
The highly anticipated 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup officially kicks off tomorrow, August 15th, and promises non-stop action running through to the finals on August 29th and 30th.
In a thrilling showcase for the sport, both the Men’s and Women’s tournaments are being held simultaneously this year. The matches will be shared across two spectacular venues: the brand-new Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium, and the iconic Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, the Netherlands.
Tournament Highlights & What to Watch For:
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The Contenders: 32 teams in total (16 Men’s teams and 16 Women’s teams) will battle it out for the ultimate crown.
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Defending Champions: The German Men arrive ready to defend their hard-fought 2023 title. Meanwhile, the formidable Netherlands Women’s team will be fiercely protecting their dominance on home soil, aiming to add yet another World Cup victory to their historic record.
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A Brand New Format: Say goodbye to the traditional quarter-finals! This year introduces a revamped, high-stakes pathway to the trophy. Teams will navigate through an initial pool stage, followed by a second phase of crossover pools. The top two teams from the primary crossover pools will advance directly to the semi-finals, placing massive importance on every single group stage point.
- Offical Worldcup Page – Worldcup-Belgium-Netherlands-2026
