In exactly one month, the global hockey community will turn its eyes to the low lands of Europe as the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026 officially gets underway! On 15 August 2026, the highly anticipated tournament, featuring both the men’s and women’s editions, will burst into life with an electrifying opening day featuring the world’s elite teams going head-to-head across two historic hockey hotbeds in Wavre, Belgium and Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Thirty-two teams—16 women’s and 16 men’s—have successfully navigated grueling continental campaigns and the World Cup qualifiers to secure their places at hockey’s ultimate table. Now, with just one month remaining until the opening push-back, the final preparations are reaching their crescendo.

Where Legends Are Made

The co-hosted event represents the pinnacle of international hockey, offering a unique spectacle where the men’s and women’s crowns are contested concurrently on the same stages.

FIH President Tayyab Ikram expressed his excitement as the final stretch begins:

“The one-month milestone makes the anticipation tangible. The FIH Hockey World Cup is the most prestigious of our events—it is where legends are made and where the standard of global hockey reaches new heights. The tournaments, featuring both men’s and women’s competition, are the ultimate window for our outstanding athletes to showcase their world-class skills, passion, and resilience. Two hockey powerhouses with some of the most passionate crowds, Belgium and Netherlands, are ready to deliver a truly magnificent show for fans visiting in person and millions more watching around the world. The stage is set; the world is ready!”

Two Iconic Venues, Ready for Action

In the Netherlands, the legendary Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Amsterdam, has seen its capacity temporarily expanded to 10,000 seats to handle the wave of local and international spectators. Meanwhile, in Belgium, the newly minted, state-of-the-art Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre stands proudly as a direct infrastructure legacy of this tournament, ready to house thousands of roaring fans in a new dedicated home for the sport.

The Ultimate Fan Celebration Off the Pitch

Beyond the intense competitive drama unfolding on the field, the Fanzones at both venues are preparing to welcome spectators into the vibrant heart of the tournament. Promising an immersive celebration of hockey culture, the fan zones will feature dynamic entertainment including performances by top artists, merchandise unique to the World Cup, food festivals and plenty more!

Squad announcements are rolling out daily as head coaches finalise their rosters, adjusting strategies for what is poised to be the fastest, most physical World Cup in history.

The countdown is down to the final weeks. The sticks are lined up, the venues are gleaming, and the fans are fired up. Let the final countdown to glory begin!

Stay Connected!

• Match Schedule: View the full fixture list and match centres for both the Men’s and Women’s tournaments here.
• Tickets: Limited remaining tickets for specific sessions are available at the official ticketing portal. Don’t miss your chance to grab your seat!
• Catch the Action: Get your Watch.Hockey World Cup Pass and enjoy all the live matches*, long-format highlights and videos on demand!
• Social View: Follow the official FIH accounts on Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, and TikTok to watch all the behind-the-scenes content, team training updates, and player interviews.

*Whilst matches will be geoblocked in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka due to broadcasting agreements in place, hockey fans in all these countries will be able to enjoy match highlights as well as Watch.Hockey’s extended library of videos on demand.

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