The Pakistan national field hockey team and the India national field hockey team have been placed in the same group for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, setting up a high-profile clash between the traditional rivals in the tournament’s opening stage.
According to the official draw, both teams have been included in Pool D, alongside England and Wales, making it one of the most competitive groups in the event.
Pool D Shapes Up as a Tough Group
Pool D features four strong teams:
- Pakistan
- India
- England
- Wales
The group is being widely seen as one of the toughest in the tournament, with each side capable of challenging for qualification to the next stage.
The tournament will include 16 teams divided into four pools, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the next round.
Tournament to Be Held in Europe
The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium, with matches scheduled from August 15 to August 30, 2026.
Matches will take place in cities including Amsterdam and Wavre, as the tournament returns to Europe for one of hockey’s biggest global events.
Rivalry Adds Major Spotlight
The Pakistan-India hockey rivalry remains one of the most historic in international sport, with decades of intense competition across major tournaments.
Their meeting in the group stage is expected to be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament, drawing global attention from fans and media alike.
This will also mark a rare early-stage encounter between the two sides in a World Cup, increasing the stakes from the very beginning of the competition.
Road to Knockout Stage
Under the tournament format:
- The top 2 teams from each pool advance
- Qualified teams move into the next round of the group stage
- Top teams then progress to the semi-finals and final
This means that every match in Pool D will be crucial, especially for teams aiming to secure early qualification and avoid elimination risks.