Exciting Draw Ceremony Unveils Pools for FIH Hockey World Cup 2026
World Cup Draw Ceremony Highlights
Lausanne [Switzerland], March 17: A significant draw ceremony took place today at the renowned Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands, one of the two venues designated for the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup, alongside the newly constructed Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium. This event established the eight pools for the group stage of the 2026 tournament, as announced in an official release.
The draw was conducted by hockey legends Naomie van As, Barbara Neelen, and Teun de Nooijer, with DJ La Fuente being introduced as the Dutch Ambassador for the World Cup during the event.
The groupings for the World Cup 2026 are as follows:
Women:
Pool A: Netherlands, Australia, Chile, Japan (matches in the Netherlands)
Pool B: Argentina, Germany, USA, Scotland (matches in Belgium)
Pool C: Belgium, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland (matches in Belgium)
Pool D: China, England, India, South Africa (matches in the Netherlands)
Men:
Pool A: Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, Japan (matches in the Netherlands)
Pool B: Belgium, Germany, France, Malaysia (matches in Belgium)
Pool C: Australia, Spain, Ireland, South Africa (matches in Belgium)
Pool D: England, India, Pakistan, Wales (matches in the Netherlands)
This milestone event was graced by FIH President Tayyab Ikram, FIH Vice-President and EuroHockey President Marcos Hofman, FIH Executive Board Member Erik Cornelissen, and the presidents of the Dutch and Belgian Hockey Federations, among other dignitaries. The captains and head coaches from both the Netherlands and Belgium were also present, along with local authorities and commercial partners.
FIH President Tayyab Ikram remarked, “Today’s draw signifies another key milestone on the journey to the most esteemed FIH event, the FIH Hockey World Cup! The forthcoming edition, co-hosted by two hockey strongholds, is set to be a tremendous success. We extend our gratitude to Belgium and the Netherlands for welcoming our elite athletes and the global hockey community in less than six months.”
He further added, “In a world often divided, sports—especially events like this—can significantly contribute to uniting people. It can promote peace during times of conflict. I encourage fans worldwide to participate, and I wish all athletes an unforgettable experience.”
Match Schedule
The FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 is scheduled to take place in Amsterdam and Wavre from August 15 to 30, 2026. The complete match schedule will be revealed tomorrow, March 18.
Mascots
Additionally, two vibrant mascots were unveiled today, embodying the joy, teamwork, and energy of hockey—one for each gender. These mascots, round like a hockey ball, symbolize the unifying spirit of the sport across the globe. A campaign will soon launch inviting fans to suggest names for these mascots.