Pakistan returns to the Hockey World Cup after eight years, setting up a major group-stage clash with India in the Netherlands.
Pakistan is set to face India at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, on August 19, in one of the tournament’s most anticipated group-stage fixtures. The International Hockey Federation confirmed the official schedule on March 18, a day after revealing the pool draw for the global event.
The men’s World Cup, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, will run from August 15 to 30. Pakistan national field hockey team have been placed in Pool D alongside India national field hockey team, England national field hockey team, and Wales national field hockey team, creating a challenging group for the side returning after an eight-year absence.
Pakistan will open their campaign against England on August 15 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, followed by Wales on August 17, before the high-voltage clash against India on August 19 at the same venue.
Pakistan earned qualification after reaching the final of the qualifying event in Ismailia, Egypt, where they lost 4–1 to England but still secured a place in the main tournament.
The World Cup will be staged across the Netherlands and Belgium, including the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, with the Pakistan-India encounter expected to be one of the most-watched matches of the opening stage.
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