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News18
6 days ago
- Sport
- News18
FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium-Netherlands 2026: One Year to Go!
Lausanne [Switzerland], August 15 (ANI): In exactly one year from now, on August 15, 2026, the hockey world will come together to celebrate the start of the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026. The countdown has officially begun, and anticipation is building for international hockey's premier competition that promises to be as thrilling as it is Nations, One Global SpectacleFrom 15 August 2026, the 16 best men's and women's teams on the planet will battle for glory across world-class venues in Wavre, Belgium and Amstelveen, Netherlands. Known for their rich hockey heritage, passionate fan bases, and vibrant sporting culture, both nations are ready to deliver an unforgettable festival of hockey. This edition will mark only the second time in history that the men's and women's competitions are staged together, bringing the entire global hockey family into one shared moment of excitement.A Look BackThe Men's Hockey World Cup made its debut in 1971 in Barcelona, Spain, with Pakistan crowned the inaugural champions. Over the decades, the tournament has grown into one of the sport's most prestigious events, producing legendary rivalries and iconic performances. Pakistan are the most successful team in the men's World Cup history, winning the title four times between 1971 and 1994. Following closely behind with three titles each are Australia, the Netherlands and Germany – the reigning men's champions from the 2023 event in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, Women's Hockey World Cup began in 1974 in Mandelieu, France, where the Netherlands claimed the first title. Since then, the event has showcased the evolution and global rise of women's hockey, with the Dutch women emerging as the most successful team in history, winning the competition 9 times, including the previous edition played in Spain and the Netherlands in 2022. The tournament has been a platform for unforgettable moments and witnessed era-defining performances from some of the best players in the world, like Luciana Aymar, Alyson Annan, Natascha Keller, Rani Rampal, Eva de Goede and many others. 2026: A New ChapterBelgium and the Netherlands have been at the forefront of world hockey over the past few decades, with their on-pitch performances and the depth of their hockey development. From packed stadiums in Wavre and Amstelveen to vibrant fan zones and world-leading broadcast coverage, every detail is being prepared to deliver a World Cup experience like no other. With one year to go, six men's and six women's teams have already qualified for the World Cup, while the others prepare for their continental championships and the upcoming World Cup qualifiers to secure their spot in international hockey's biggest celebration! In the men's competition, Belgium and the Netherlands, on account of being hosts of the event, gained direct qualification. Australia and Spain qualified through the previous two editions of the FIH Hockey Pro League. Argentina secured qualification recently through their gold medal finish at the Pan American Cup 2025, while Germany have already qualified from the ongoing EuroHockey Championship. Continental championships in Asia, Africa and Oceania over the coming months will determine four more direct qualifiers for the event, with the remaining seven teams qualifying through the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers in the women's competition, Belgium and the Netherlands, on account of being hosts of the event, gained direct qualification. Germany and Argentina qualified through the previous two editions of the FIH Hockey Pro League. USA secured their qualification recently at the Pan American Cup 2025, while Spain have already qualified from the ongoing EuroHockey Championship. Continental championships in Asia, Africa and Oceania over the coming months will determine four more direct qualifiers for the event, with the remaining seven teams qualifying through the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers in on the occasion of one year to go till the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: 'The FIH Hockey World Cup is our flagship event where legends are made, where teams give it all for a unique moment of glory. Where athletes celebrate a moment of performance and togetherness, the fact that both women and men will play the 2026 World Cup at the same time and in the same venues makes it even more special! Our co-hosts, Belgium and the Netherlands, are already working very hard to make this event the best World Cup ever! So, my message to all hockey fans around the world is: pencil this event in bold letters in your agenda. You can expect an unforgettable event!"Dutch Hockey Association CEO Erik Gerritsen said, 'Now that the first teams have qualified, the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 is getting closer. Preparations are in full swing, and we're really looking forward to it!" Hockey Belgium CEO Serge Pilet said: 'At the moment we're still battling it out at the Euros in Monchengladbach, but in just one year we'll be back on home soil–only 180 km away! Our brand-new stadium in Wavre will set the stage for the world's top hockey teams to shine. Get ready for an unforgettable showdown!"(ANI)
Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Hockey: Indian women's team face relegation from Pro League – here are scenarios and what's at stake for Harendra Singh's side
Over this weekend in Berlin, the women's FIH Pro League season will come to a close with six teams in action in double-headers. There has been little doubt about which team will finish top of the table, because there really is no one close to the Netherlands in women's hockey at the moment. Having wrapped up the title, the Olympic champions will face Belgium in a no-stakes top three clash. It is at the bottom of the table where the real drama lies. And it involves an Indian team desperate to earn some points to stay in the league for the next season. The three teams that are locked in the battle to avoid relegation are Germany, England and China. While India will face Asian rivals – and arguably the most-improved women's international hockey side in the recent year or so – China, Germany and England go up against each other. With 9 teams competing in the Pro League (both men's and women's), there are two main storylines to follow. Closer to the top, there is a spot to be won at the World Cup next year (for teams that have not already qualified). And at the bottom, the last-placed team gets relegated from the Pro League for the following year. When the Pro League began, there were initially doubts around the importance of the tournament in the calendar and not many teams were sold on it – including India. But gradually, it has gained prominence and relevance. Many teams still see it as a platform to groom talent but results have a meaning because there are end-goals to work towards. After 14 matches played, India are at the bottom of the table with 10 points, having won twice in regulation time, and once earning the shootout bonus after a draw. Germany and England have 13 points and 11 points, respectively. A reminder of the points system: An outright win within regulation time of four quarters means a team will be awarded 3 points. A draw means both teams will earn 1 point before a shootout is played. Then 1 bonus point is awarded to the winner of the shootout. There are no points to the loser of a match in normal time. For tiebreakers, the first criterion is number of wins, followed by goal difference and then goals for. Former India coach Janneke Schopman is the current head coach of Germany and she'd have been mighty relieved after beating China in a tense match on Wednesday, getting one over a familiar rival in Alyson Annan. Germany have destiny in their own hands as they just have to avoid losing outright against England in both matches. England, just below Germany, would be hoping to pull off at least one outright win. David Ralph's side had a fairly productive home leg in London, where they registered two important wins to earn six massive points – one against Australia and another versus Spain, a mighty impressive 4-1 win in the last match at Lee Valley. It is that result that pushed them above India into a relatively comfortable position. India meanwhile, face two daunting matches against Alyson's China, who'd be smarting after the defeat against Germany. China are, of course, the Paris Olympics silver medallists too and will be red-hot favourites to win the Asia Cup later this year. India coach Harendra Singh, on the other hand, has seen his side suffer two close defeats against Australia, and managed to hold Argentina to a draw, and then lost twice against Belgium. For Schopman's Germany, it's simple and in their own hands. They just have to win more points than England. Two draws against England would be enough if they lose both the shootouts. Given their much better goal difference, one outright win for Germany would be enough as India can only equal them in that case. If they lose both matches, however, they'd be under pressure. England are just one point ahead of India, so they are vulnerable too if they can't get a couple of points at least from Germany. England will be safe if India lose both their matches. If England win at least one match against Germany, India will need at least four points from six against China. Finally, India have the toughest task of all three teams. They need at least one positive result from the two matches against China, not easy to begin with. If India get 3 points at least out of 6, England will be forced to win at least one match against Germany. If India somehow get 6 points, they'd still be dependent on England dropping at least one point against Germany. If India do get relegated, then they would have to compete in the next edition of FIH Nations Cup – which is the route they took to earn their current spot in the league. The biggest downside of not being in the Pro League, especially leading up to a World Cup-cum-Asian Games year in 2026, would the lack of structured matches against the best teams in the world. Teams outside the Pro League would be dependent on arranging bilateral Test matches against top teams, and that would be contingent on said teams having time off from their calendars. Even when Pro League wasn't always a priority tournament, it played a big role in the Indian men's team's run to bronze in Tokyo – just the regularity of competing at the top. Having already suffered the setback of not qualifying for Paris 2024, this would further set Indian women's hockey back. Vinayakk Mohanarangan is Senior Assistant Editor and is based in New Delhi. ... Read More
