The 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup will bring together one of international sport’s most intense rivalries when India and Pakistan square off in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15-30. Both nations have been placed in Pool D of the men’s tournament, setting the stage for their first World Cup encounter in 16 years. The match is scheduled for August 19 at Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, The Netherlands, beginning at 3 p.m. local time.
This year’s tournament introduces a revised format that eliminates the traditional quarterfinal stage, replacing it with a secondary “crossover pools” phase. Each pool will contain 16 teams divided into four groups, with the top finishers advancing to semifinals while others compete in classification matches. Germany enters as defending men’s champions, while the Netherlands hold the women’s title from 2022.
Historically, India holds a slight edge over Pakistan in their World Cup matchups, winning three of their five meetings. Their most recent encounter came in 2010 when India defeated Pakistan 4-1 in New Delhi. Pakistan has dominated overall World Cup success with four titles, compared to India’s single championship in 1975. The upcoming clash promises to be a defining moment in the tournament, with broadcast coverage available on Star Sports and JioHotstar in India, and Tapmad in Pakistan.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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