India-Pakistan Clash Headlines Hockey World Cup 2026 Groups and Schedule
Manasi Pathak
India and Pakistan will renew their iconic rivalry in the group stage of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15-30. The tournament features a new crossover-pool format, and the two Asian giants meet on August 19 in Amstelveen.
One of hockey's most storied rivalries will be renewed as India face Pakistan at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026.
The two South Asian nations, with a deep history of intense and often politically charged encounters, have been drawn together in Pool D of the men's tournament, which begins this Saturday.
Venues
The 2026 Hockey World Cup is co-hosted by Wavre (Belgium) and Amstelveen (Netherlands), running from August 15 to 30. Both the men's and women's tournaments feature 16 teams split into four pools.
Germany are the reigning men's champions from 2023, while the Netherlands hold the women's title from 2022.
Pools
Men's pools:
- Pool A: Argentina, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand
- Pool B: Belgium, France, Germany, Malaysia
- Pool C: Australia, Spain, Ireland, South Africa
- Pool D: England, India, Pakistan, Wales
Women's pools:
- Pool A: Australia, Chile, Japan, Netherlands
- Pool B: Argentina, Germany, Scotland, USA
- Pool C: Belgium, Spain, Ireland, New Zealand
- Pool D: China, England, India, South Africa
New format
This year's tournament introduces a fresh format, eliminating the quarterfinals and replacing them with a second stage of so-called “crossover pools.” After the initial group stage, teams are re-seeded into four new pools – E, F, G, H – based on their first-round standings, and play three additional matches.
- Pool E: Winners and runners-up of Pools A and D
- Pool F: Winners and runners-up of Pools B and C
- Pool G: Third and fourth of Pools A and D
- Pool H: Third and fourth of Pools B and C
The top two teams from Pools E and F advance directly to the semifinals, while the remaining teams compete for positions 5 through 16. The tournament concludes with the bronze-medal match and the final.
When India play Pakistan
India's men will face Pakistan in their Pool D encounter on August 19. The match takes place at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, starting at 15:00 local time (18:30 IST, 18:00 PKT).
Last World Cup meeting
This clash marks the first time in 16 years that India and Pakistan meet at a World Cup. Their most recent encounter was in 2010 in New Delhi, where the hosts beat Pakistan 4-1 in the group stage.
Head-to-head at the World Cup
India and Pakistan have met five times at the World Cup, with India winning three and Pakistan two. The only World Cup final between them was in 1975, where India triumphed 2-1.
- India 4-1 Pakistan, New Delhi 2010
- Pakistan 3-2 India, London 1986
- India 2-1 Pakistan, Kuala Lumpur 1975
- India 1-0 Pakistan, Amsterdam 1973
- Pakistan 2-1 India, Barcelona 1971
Titles won
Pakistan are the most successful men's team at the World Cup with four titles: 1971, 1978, 1982, and 1994. India have won it only once, in 1975, but hold the record for eight Olympic gold medals.
How to watch
- India: Star Sports, JioHotstar
- Pakistan: Tapmad
- Global: Watch.Hockey
Full men's schedule
(Local time, GMT+2)
August 15
13:00 – India vs Wales (Pool D)
14:30 – Germany vs Malaysia (Pool B)
19:00 – England vs Pakistan (Pool D)
21:00 – Belgium vs France (Pool B)
August 16
11:30 – Australia vs Ireland (Pool C)
14:30 – Spain vs South Africa (Pool C)
16:00 – Netherlands vs New Zealand (Pool A)
19:00 – Argentina vs Japan (Pool A)
August 17
12:30 – Pakistan vs Wales (Pool D)
14:00 – France vs Malaysia (Pool B)
15:00 – India vs England (Pool D)
20:30 – Germany vs Belgium (Pool B)
August 18
09:30 – New Zealand vs Japan (Pool A)
14:00 – Spain vs Australia (Pool C)
17:00 – Ireland vs South Africa (Pool C)
18:00 – Argentina vs Netherlands (Pool A)
August 19
12:30 – England vs Wales (Pool D)
15:00 – Pakistan vs India (Pool D)
17:00 – France vs Germany (Pool B)
20:30 – Belgium vs Malaysia (Pool B)
August 20
11:00 – Australia vs South Africa (Pool C)
12:30 – New Zealand vs Argentina (Pool A)
17:00 – Ireland vs Spain (Pool C)
18:00 – Netherlands vs Japan (Pool A)
August 21
11:00 – 3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool C (Pool H)
14:00 – 3rd Pool C vs 4th Pool B (Pool H)
17:00 – 1st Pool C vs 2nd Pool B (Pool F)
20:30 – 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool C (Pool F)
August 22
10:00 – 3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool D (Pool G)
13:00 – 3rd Pool D vs 4th Pool A (Pool G)
16:00 – 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool D (Pool E)
19:00 – 1st Pool D vs 2nd Pool A (Pool E)
August 23
11:30 – 4th Pool B vs 4th Pool C (Pool H)
14:30 – 3rd Pool B vs 3rd Pool C (Pool H)
17:30 – 1st Pool B vs 1st Pool C (Pool F)
20:30 – 2nd Pool B vs 2nd Pool C (Pool F)
August 24
09:30 – 4th Pool A vs 4th Pool D (Pool G)
12:30 – 3rd Pool A vs 3rd Pool D (Pool G)
14:45 – 2nd Pool A vs 2nd Pool D (Pool E)
18:00 – 1st Pool A vs 1st Pool D (Pool E)
August 28
09:30 – 3rd Pool G vs 3rd Pool H (13th/14th place)
11:00 – 4th Pool G vs 4th Pool H (15th/16th place)
12:30 – 2nd Pool G vs 2nd Pool H (11th/12th place)
14:00 – 1st Pool G vs 1st Pool H (9th/10th place)
15:00 – 3rd Pool E vs 3rd Pool F (5th/6th place)
17:00 – 4th Pool E vs 4th Pool F (7th/8th place)
18:00 – 1st Pool E vs 2nd Pool F (Semifinal)
20:30 – 1st Pool F vs 2nd Pool E (Semifinal)
August 30
14:00 – Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2 (Bronze medal)
16:30 – Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 (Final)
