The Indian men's hockey team is fighting to revive its glorious World Cup legacy at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Belgium and the Netherlands. The tournament began on August 15 and will conclude on August 30. Wavre in Belgium and Amstelveen in the Netherlands are hosting the matches. India entered the tournament with high expectations. The team last won the men's Hockey World Cup in 1975 and has been waiting for another world title for more than five decades. The 2026 edition has also brought a major change in the competition format, making every pool match extremely i1mportant.

16 Teams Divided Into Four Pools

The men's tournament features 16 teams. They are divided into four pools of four teams each.

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

India was placed in Pool D alongside traditional rivals Pakistan, England and Wales.

A New Format Without Quarter-finals

The 2026 World Cup has introduced a new format. Unlike previous editions, the tournament does not have a separate quarter-final stage. The first phase consists of four pools. Each team plays three matches in its pool. After that, the top two teams from each pool move into a second phase known as the crossover pools. The top two teams from Pools A and D form Pool E. Similarly, the top two teams from Pools B and C form Pool F. The teams finishing third and fourth in Pools A and D move into Pool G, while the third- and fourth-placed teams from Pools B and C form Pool H. The top two teams from Pools E and F qualify directly for the semi-finals. The remaining teams compete in classification matches to determine their final positions from fifth to 16th. Therefore, there is no quarter-final round in the 2026 tournament.

India Begins With Victory Over Wales

India started its campaign against Wales on August 15 in Amstelveen. The Indian side produced a strong performance and won 3-1. The victory gave India an important three points and provided a positive start to the campaign. However, the next challenge was much tougher.

England Hand India Its First Defeat

India faced England in its second Pool D match on August 17. England defeated India 4-2. The result put pressure on India because England strengthened its position at the top of the pool, while India needed a positive result in its final match to secure progression to the next phase. The defeat made India's final Pool D game against Pakistan particularly important.

India Beats Pakistan 5-3

The much-awaited India-Pakistan clash took place on August 19. India delivered an attacking performance and defeated Pakistan 5-3. Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored twice each, while Hardik Singh also found the net. The victory took India to six points and secured second place in Pool D behind England. The win also ended Pakistan's campaign in the tournament. India therefore completed the opening phase with two wins and one defeat. England finished first in Pool D, while India took the second qualifying spot.

India Moves Into Pool E

India's second-place finish in Pool D placed it in Pool E for the crossover phase. Pool E consists of:

• Netherlands
• Argentina
• England
• India

The Netherlands and Argentina came through Pool A, while England and India qualified from Pool D. This made Pool E one of the most competitive groups in the second phase. India had already played England in the opening round, but the team now had to face the Netherlands and Argentina.

Tough Test Against the Netherlands

India began its Pool E campaign against co-hosts and Olympic champions the Netherlands on August 22. India made a disciplined start and kept the Dutch attack under control during the early stages. However, the Netherlands gradually took control after the break and eventually won 3-1. Harmanpreet Singh scored India's only goal, but the defeat badly damaged India's chances of reaching the semi-finals. The result left India needing a major turnaround in its final Pool E match.

Argentina Keeps India's Hopes Alive

Argentina defeated England 3-1 on August 22. That result gave India a mathematical chance of still reaching the semi-finals. As of August 23, the Netherlands lead Pool E with six points, while England and Argentina have three points each. India also remains in contention but has a much weaker position after losing to the Netherlands. India's final Pool E match is against Argentina. The game has become a must-win contest for the Harmanpreet Singh-led side.

What India Needs to Reach the Semi-finals

India's path to the semi-finals has become extremely difficult. The team needs to beat Argentina by a sufficiently large margin and then hope for a favourable result in the Netherlands-England match. Goal difference could become decisive if teams finish level on points. Therefore, India's task is not simply to win its final match. The margin of victory and the result of the Netherlands versus England game could both determine whether India finishes among the top two teams in Pool E.

A Campaign Full of Highs and Lows

India's 2026 World Cup campaign has so far produced a mixture of impressive performances and difficult moments. The team began with a convincing win over Wales. It then suffered a setback against England before responding strongly against Pakistan. The 5-3 victory over its traditional rival carried India into the second phase. However, the 3-1 defeat against the Netherlands has left the team facing a difficult battle for a semi-final place. India's defensive organisation and finishing will be crucial in the final match.

India's Road Ahead

India still has a chance to continue its World Cup journey, but the margin for error has disappeared. The new World Cup format has made every match significant. A team can no longer rely on a quarter-final after the opening pool stage. Instead, it must finish among the top two in the crossover pool to reach the last four. For India, the immediate target is clear: beat Argentina and then wait for the right result between the Netherlands and England. The Indian team has already shown its fighting spirit by recovering from the England defeat and beating Pakistan. Now, it needs another strong response against Argentina to keep its dream of returning to the World Cup semi-finals alive. India's journey in Belgium and the Netherlands is therefore far from a straightforward one. It has been a campaign of pressure, rivalry, comeback and difficult mathematics. The final Pool E game will determine whether India's World Cup adventure continues towards the semi-finals or ends in the second phase.

India's 2026 World Cup Journey at a Glance

Stage	Opponent	Result
Pool D	Wales	India won 3-1
Pool D	England	India lost 2-4
Pool D	Pakistan	India won 5-3
Pool E	Netherlands	India lost 1-3
Pool E	Argentina	India's next/final match

India's campaign remains alive, but reaching the semi-finals now requires a big performance against Argentina and favourable results elsewhere in Pool E.