15 Aug, 2025 In exactly one year from now, on 15 August 2026, the hockey world will come together to celebrate the start of the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & 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 historic. Two Nations, One Global Spectacle From 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 Back The 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, Netherlands and Germany – the reigning men’s champions from the 2023 event in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, India. The 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 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 Chapter Belgium 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 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 2026. In the women’s competition, Belgium and 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 2026. Remarking 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 Mönchengladbach, 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!” Source: FIH.hockey

03 Aug, 2025 The men’s Pan American Cup 2025 came to an end today with Argentina defeating USA in the men’s final to win the gold medal and secure qualification to the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026! With one direct qualification spot available to the Americas at the upcoming World Cup, the winner of the final was assured qualification to the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 and with Argentina securing a 10-0 win over USA in the final, they become the fifth team to book their place in hockey’s premier world event next year. Argentina, placed in Pool A went unbeaten through the tournament, winning all three of their pool stage matches, followed by wins in the semi-final and the final. They started off their campaign in perfect fashion winning 13-0 against Brazil and followed that up with a clinical 3-0 win over USA who they would face in the final once again. A 12-0 win in the final pool match against hosts Uruguay secured the top spot in Pool A for Argentina sending them through to the semi-final. Argentina were paired up against Canada in the semi-final, who finished second in Pool B behind Chile. Argentina once again showed their continental supremacy dispatching Canada in a 9-1 win, despite Canada scoring the first goal of the game. Tomas Domene with 4 goals and Nicolas della Torre with 3 goals starred in the semi-final, taking Argentina one step closer to world cup qualification. The Leones were relentless on attack in the final and put the American defence to sword, winning the contest with a massive 10-0 scoreline. Tomas Domene, Tadeo Marucci and Bautista Capurro scored a brace each, with Nicolas della Torre, Lucas Toscani, Lucas Martinez and Lucio Mendez also getting on the scoresheet. The win gives Argentina their fourth consecutive, and fifth overall title in the Pan American Cup, and punches their ticket to the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026. Tournament top scorer Tomas Domene, who also made his 100th appearance for Argentina, said: “I am very happy, beyond anything else, to play and represent Argentina 100 times. I think that I am very emotional today, with the team having qualified for the World Cup, which was our objective from the start of the tournament. I think we had a great tournament, from start to finish, we showed who we are. We tried to give our best in every match, and I think that showed, and this result reflects that.” Argentina have become the fifth team to secure qualification to the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026. Belgium and Netherlands, on account of being hosts of the event, secured direct qualification. At the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24, it was Australia who qualified for the World Cup as champions of the season. Spain were the fourth team to secure their spot, finishing second behind already qualified Netherlands in the 2024/25 season of the Pro League. Continental championships in Asia, Africa, Europe 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 2026. Source: FIH.hockey

14 Jun, 2025 The logo of the next edition of the FIH Hockey World Cup that will take place in Belgium and Netherlands in August 2026 was revealed today during the FIH Hockey Pro League match Netherlands-Argentina (men) taking place in Amstelveen (Netherlands). The 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup logo has a bold and vibrant identity inspired by the very essence of hockey. Fuelled by the sport’s speed, precision, and powerful sense of unity, the event’s branding comes to life through dynamic lines and circular forms that reflect the movement of the ball, the iconic D on the field, and the unstoppable rhythm of the game. This design goes beyond aesthetics—it captures the heartbeat of hockey and invites fans, players, and nations to unite in anticipation of a global celebration like no other. This is more than a tournament. This is hockey, together, on the world stage. FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “The hockey world is very much looking forward to returning to Belgium and the Netherlands for the FIH Hockey World Cup next year! We are excited to bring all top athletes from the world to these two beautiful hockey nations. For our top stars in the world, it will be a moment of celebration, a moment of performance and a moment of togetherness in front of so engaged fans. I thank Belgium and the Netherlands for inviting the top athletes and providing the best opportunity for the fans.” Serge Pilet, CEO of the Royal Belgian Hockey Association, said: “We are thrilled to finally be able to reveal the first official elements of the 2026 Hockey World Cup look & feel we will be organising together with our Dutch colleagues in August 2026. This is only a small part of a lot more to come! We’re committed to creating a spectacular and unforgettable experience for all hockey and sports fans across the globe.” Erik Gerritsen, CEO of the Dutch Hockey Association, added: “Finally, we can show the world more concretely what has already been done for the 2026 Hockey World Cup. The creation of this look and feel characterizes the collaboration between the parties involved, such as the Belgian Hockey Association, Golazo and the FIH. We can’t wait to reveal more and more information about the 2026 Hockey World Cup! I fully agree with my colleague Serge, that we want to make this event unforgettable for both hockey and sports fans around the world.” The next edition of FIH’s most prestigious tournament will combine the Women’s and the Men’s World Cups. It will be played from 15 to 30 August 2026 in Wavre (Belgium) and Amstelveen (Netherlands). In addition to the host nations, Germany (women) and Australia (men) won their ticket to the World Cup via the FIH Hockey Pro League last season. Two more teams (a women’s team and a men’s team) will qualify through the Pro League this June. Then, the five Continental Championships – which are scheduled between July and September 2025 – will enable five other teams per gender to qualify. The remaining participating teams – seven per gender – will come from the World Cup Qualifiers which will take place next year, currently planned from 28 February to 8 March 2026. The draw to determine the 4 pools per gender for the group stage of the World Cup will happen shortly after these Qualifiers. For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please download the Watch.Hockey app or follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and X – and website. #HWC2026 Source: FIH.hockey

02 Apr, 2025 In exactly 500 days, the very first match of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cupwill open the show for FIH’s most prestigious global hockey event! This edition, that will combine the Women’s and the Men’s World Cups, will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. In addition to the host countries, the teams of Germany (women) and Australia (men) won their ticket to the World Cup via the FIH Hockey Pro League last season. It is also thanks to the Pro League that the next two teams will qualify (a women’s team and a men’s team). The five Continental Championships – which will take place between July and September – will enable 5 other teams per gender to qualify. The remaining 7 participating teams – from 16 in total per gender – will come from the World Cup Qualifiers which will take place next year, currently scheduled from 28 February to 8 March 2026. The draw to determine the 4 pools per gender for the group stage of the World Cup will happen shortly after these Qualifiers. FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “The FIH Hockey World Cup is the most prestigious of our events. This is where legends are made. A fantastic window for our top athletes to showcase their amazing skills, for the greatest delight of all hockey fans around the world. We look forward to a fantastic edition in Belgium and the Netherlands, two of the greatest hockey powerhouses, that will involve the world’s most talented female and male hockey players! On this symbolic day, the World Cup becomes more real than ever. With further teams qualifying soon, it really is taking shape, and I already invite all hockey fans to pencil the tournament dates in their agendas and plan a trip to Belgium and the Netherlands in 500 days!” Within the two host countries, preparations are intensifying, especially in terms of the arenas that will host the event. In the Netherlands, the capacity of the famous Wagener Stadium, located in Amstelveen, near Amsterdam, will be temporarily increased to 10,000 seats. In Belgium, one of the major legacies of the World Cup will be the delivery of a completely renovated stadium, dedicated exclusively to hockey and located in Wavre, south-east of the capital, Brussels. Erik Gerritsen, CEO of the Dutch Hockey Association said: “The plans to make this World Cup wonderful are coming together more and more each day! The collaboration is intensifying, and it’s shaping up to be an international hockey celebration in both the Netherlands and Belgium. We’re building on the successes of past editions in The Netherlands in 1998, 2014, and 2022, while also exploring exciting new possibilities for this tournament. We are excited for what’s to come!” His Belgian counterpart, CEO Serge Pilet added: “I am convinced that our collaboration with the Dutch federation in this joint organisation will result in a spectacular and unforgettable double-gender Hockey World Cup. For the Belgian part, this event will be held in our brand new hockey stadium in Wavre. The building of this state-of-the-art hockey arena should be completed by the end of this year. This is thrilling news for Belgian hockey!” The 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup will be played from 15 to 30 August 2026.

Lausanne, Switzerland – With just one month to go until the inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup 2 Oman 2025, excitement is reaching fever pitch in the hockey world. From February 17 to 23, Muscat, Oman, will play host to this groundbreaking tournament, marking a significant milestone for emerging hockey nations. A New Chapter for International Hockey The FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup 2 represents a fresh opportunity for eight ambitious teams, ranked below the teams playing in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup to make their mark on the international stage. The tournament is more than just a competition; it’s a pathway for these teams to ascend to the FIH Hockey Nations Cup and through it ultimately to the FIH Hockey Pro League, offering them a chance to test their mettle against some of the best in the sport.   The Teams Set to Compete This inaugural event will see eight teams battling it out for the title and promotion to the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in 2026.  Pool A: Egypt, Chile, China, Poland Pool B: Austria, Oman, Scotland, United States The Teams Set to Compete This inaugural event will see eight teams battling it out for the title and promotion to the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in 2026.  Pool A: Egypt, Chile, China, Poland Pool B: Austria, Oman, Scotland, United States These teams, hailing from diverse hockey regions, will bring their unique styles and strategies to the field, promising an exhilarating display of hockey. Tournament Format The competition kicks off with pool matches, where teams are divided into two groups of four. Each team will play against every other team in their pool, striving to secure a spot in the semi-finals. From there, the top two teams from each pool will advance to the knockout stage, culminating in the grand final on February 23, where the first-ever FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup 2 champion will be crowned. Oman: A Perfect Host Oman’s vibrant capital, Muscat, is gearing up to welcome athletes, officials, and fans from around the globe. The nation has been investing in hockey infrastructure and development, having hosted the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers and the inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey5s World Cup in 2024, making it an ideal venue for such a prestigious event. The local organizing committee, alongside the Oman Hockey Association, has been working tirelessly to ensure a world-class experience for all participants. FIH President Tayyab Ikram, speaking about the upcoming inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup 2, said: “The FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 offers a unique opportunity for teams ranked just below the FIH Hockey Nations Cup to showcase their talent in a global competition. This new event enables us to further promote growth and competitiveness within the sport as we bring international exposure to more and more countries around the world. I am sure their performances will not only highlight the skill and talent they possess, but also set a new benchmark for future editions of the competition.  On behalf of FIH, I would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman and in particular His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, as well the Local Organising Committee led by the Oman Hockey Federation Chairman, Dr. Marwan Juma Al Juma, for welcoming us once more in their beautiful country.” Rashad Al Fazari of the Oman national team said: “Participating in the inaugural FIH Nations Cup 2 in Oman is a significant moment for us, particularly as we encounter some teams for the first time. Hosting this tournament & Competing before our home crowd fills us with immense pride and motivation.” For more details on the event, including the complete match schedule, click here. #MadeForHockey #FIHNationsCup2  Keep up to date with all the latest hockey news on the FIH website and through the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  Source: FIH.hockey