Fixtures in host international locations Belgium and the Netherlands introduced
Brussels, Belgium: The world’s finest hockey nations, 16 within the males’s competitors and the identical quantity within the ladies’s, will compete for the world title in Belgium and the Netherlands throughout the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in August subsequent 12 months. The precise match instances for each host international locations within the group levels had been revealed at the moment, marking the beginning of the primary spherical of ticket gross sales. The Crimson Lions and Crimson Panthers will play their group matches in Wavre, within the brand-new Belfius Hockey Enviornment. The enduring Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam would be the Dutch residence base.
The 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup will happen from 15 to 30 August 2026 and will probably be a novel collaboration between hockey powerhouses Belgium and the Netherlands – silver medallists on the final males’s World Cup and reigning ladies’s World Champions respectively – along with the Worldwide Hockey Federation (FIH).
Half of the matches will probably be performed in Wavre, Belgium, and the opposite half in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It is just the third time in historical past that each the boys’s and ladies’s World Cups will happen concurrently and in the identical stadiums; the earlier instances had been in Utrecht (1998) and The Hague (2014), additionally on Dutch soil.
Belgium is internet hosting the FIH Hockey World Cup for the primary time. What’s extra, the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup would be the first ever world championship for a crew sport in French-speaking Belgium. In fact, Belgium is not any stranger to organising main worldwide hockey tournaments. With the European Championships in Growth (2013) and Antwerp (2019), the EuroHockey Junior Championship in Ghent (2021) and 6 seasons of the FIH Hockey Professional League, Belgium has confirmed to be a dependable and progressive host.
16 of the 32 taking part nations already recognized
16 males’s groups and 16 ladies’s groups will participate within the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. Along with Belgium and the Netherlands, Argentina, China, Germany, New Zealand, Spain and the USA have already secured their place within the ladies’s event. Along with the host international locations, Argentina, Australia, Germany, India, New Zealand and Spain have additionally already secured their ticket for the boys’s event. In October, after the African Continental Championships, we can even know the African representatives, one per gender. The remaining taking part groups will come from the Qualifiers that will probably be performed in early 2026.
New Competitors Format
The ultimate event will probably be performed in keeping with a brand new competitors format. The international locations will probably be divided into 4 teams of 4. After the primary group stage, the highest two from every group will advance to a second group stage: the winners and runners-up from teams A and D will type the brand new group E. The identical goes for teams B and C, which can type the brand new group F. Just like the numbers one and two, the numbers three and 4 can even type new teams after the primary group stage: teams G and H.
On this second group stage, every nation performs two extra matches, towards the 2 ‘new’ international locations within the group. The consequence achieved towards the nation already performed within the first group stage additionally counts in direction of the ultimate rating within the new group. One of the best two groups from the brand new teams E and F advance to the semi-finals. The third and fourth-placed groups will play placement matches for rankings 5 to eight. The international locations from teams G and H will compete for locations 9 to 16.
Each in Wavre and Amsterdam, one semi-final for the boys and one for the ladies will probably be performed. It will naturally be adopted by the finals: the ladies’s remaining in Amsterdam on Saturday 29 August, and the boys’s remaining in Wavre on Sunday 30 August.
‘Collectively for Glory’
The occasion’s slogan – ‘Collectively for Glory’ – was additionally introduced at the moment. In keeping with the precise nature of this version of the FIH Hockey World Cup, the concept of togetherness refers to the truth that the occasion consists of each ladies’s and males’s tournaments, and that they’ll happen concurrently and in the identical venues. This additionally emphasizes the paramount precept of FIH in addition to the Belgian and Dutch Hockey Associations of integrating and selling gender equality in all their occasions and actions.
Additionally, as the last word prize throughout the FIH occasions portfolio, the FIH Hockey World Cup, the place so many legends had been made, is intrinsically related to moments of glory. Lifting the winners’ trophy is a dream come true for any athlete.
Attract March 2026
In March 2026, after the ultimate qualifying matches, all taking part international locations will probably be recognized and the draw will happen. Then all groups will know their opponents and which metropolis will probably be their base for the primary ten days of the event.
Selling variety and inclusion
Hockey’s world governing has determined to organise, alongside the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, its first ever FIH ParaHockey World Cup for athletes with mental disabilities (ID), marking a historic milestone for variety and inclusion. The finals will probably be performed in the identical arenas, in Wavre and Amsterdam.
Belfius Hockey Enviornment & Wagener Stadium
The Crimson Lions and Crimson Panthers will play their group matches of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup within the brand-new nationwide hockey stadium in Wavre, which can formally be referred to as the Belfius Hockey Enviornment from at the moment. It’s a fashionable, everlasting hockey stadium with 4,000 everlasting seats. For the World Cup, this will probably be expanded to 10,000 seats on a one-off foundation. Development of the stadium will probably be accomplished by the tip of 2025. Belfius, world accomplice of the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium, will lend its identify to this new Belgian hockey hotspot for the subsequent 5 years.
The Dutch groups will play all their group matches on the iconic Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam, which has been quickly prolonged to welcome over 10,000 guests particularly for this World Cup. In the course of the group stage, 4 matches will probably be performed each day in each the Wagener Stadium and the Belfius Hockey Enviornment, however that’s not all. There will probably be an actual competition ambiance surrounding the stadiums: a fan zone, performances by high artists, good foods and drinks, enjoyable retailers and every kind of hockey actions. Within the Netherlands, additionally, you will be capable to get pleasure from spectacular Hockey5s matches. Briefly, a complete expertise for each true hockey followers and anybody who loves sport.
When will Belgium and the Netherlands play?
Matches Belgium, in Wavre:
First group stage:
Saturday 15 August 2026 – 9 p.m. (M)
Sunday 16 August 2026 – 5:30 p.m. (W)
Monday 17 August 2026 – 8:30 p.m. (M)
Tuesday 18 August 2026 – 8:30 p.m. (W)
Wednesday 19 August 2026 – 8:30 p.m. (M)
Thursday 20 August 2026 – 8:30 p.m. (W)
Second group stage:
Friday 21 August 2026 – 8:30 p.m. (M)
Saturday 22 August 2026 – 5:30 p.m. (W)
Sunday 23 August 2026 – 5:30 p.m. (M)
Monday 24 August 2026 – 8:30 p.m. (W)
Matches the Netherlands, in Amsterdam:
First group stage:
Saturday 15 August 2026 – 4 p.m. (W)
Sunday 16 August 2026 – 4 p.m. (M)
Monday 17 August 2026 – 6 p.m. (W)
Tuesday 18 August 2026 – 6 p.m. (M)
Wednesday 19 August 2026 – 6 p.m. (W)
Thursday 20 August 2026 – 6 p.m. (M)
Second group stage:
Friday 21 August 2026 – 6 p.m. (W)
Saturday 22 August 2026 – 4 p.m. (M)
Sunday 23 August 2026 – 4 p.m. (W)
Monday 24 August 2026 – 6 p.m. (M)
Followers from Belgium, the Netherlands or anyplace else on the earth can already buy tickets: day tickets legitimate for all matches at both location on that day. Tickets for the semi-finals and finals are additionally already out there for buy. Tickets might be purchased on www.worldcup.hockey.
[Quotes]
FIH President Tayyab Ikram: “The FIH Hockey World Cup is the head of our occasions, the place so many legends had been made. Showcasing the perfect athletes of world hockey, the upcoming version will probably be a real celebration of sport excellence, because of our unimaginable athletes, and inclusion, with ladies’s and males’s enjoying the distinguished event on the similar time and in the identical venues, and our first ever FIH ParaHockey World Cup being launched on that event! Along with our mates from Belgium and the Netherlands, two hockey powerhouses on the worldwide hockey map, we stay up for an incredible World Cup that may promote the values of our sport, together with fair-play, respect and togetherness. We’ll put collectively essentially the most sufficient situations for athletes to showcase their wonderful expertise! And we’ll thrive to convey hockey’s world showpiece to all followers world wide, because of our broadcast companions and digital platforms. On behalf of FIH, I lengthen our sincerest appreciation to our hosts for his or her dedication and efforts and name upon all followers to securing their attendance on the World Cup already now!”
Serge Pilet, CEO of the Royal Belgian Hockey Affiliation: “The wait is over. I’m thrilled we are able to now formally kick off the ultimate countdown in direction of the Hockey World Cup! With the official web site and the ticketing platform launching at the moment for the general public, and the final development part of our model new Belfius Hockey Enviornment nicely superior, we really feel we’re able to go full drive now. I’m satisfied we’ll ship a spectacular and unforgettable double-gender Hockey World Cup for the followers packed within the stands, in addition to for these watching it on TV!”
Erik Gerritsen, CEO of Royal Dutch Hockey Federation: “Immediately marks an essential milestone within the organisation of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026: ticket gross sales have formally began. This second is the results of years of devoted work by the FIH, Golazo, Hockey Belgium and the KNHB. What started with drafting a bid in 2022 has developed into knowledgeable and totally deliberate occasion idea. We now have a stable basis in place — from match schedules and venue layouts to aspect occasions and ticketing methods. I’m pleased with what we’ve completed collectively. And now the true work begins: collectively, we’ll construct a event that may depart an enduring impression world wide. I’m very a lot wanting ahead to it and I’m happy with the collaboration with Belgium and the FIH.”
Adrien Dolimont, Wallonia’s Minister-President: “To see the Hockey World Cup being performed right here in Wallonia is proof that nothing is unattainable when a imaginative and prescient is carried collectively. We constructed this stadium regardless of the challenges, and at the moment it has grow to be the image of a Wallonia able to internet hosting world-class occasions, showcasing its skills, and positioning itself as a real hub of sporting excellence.”
Jacqueline Galant, Minister of Sports activities and Sports activities Infrastructure in Wallonia and the Wallonia-Brussels Federation: “Collectively, Wallonia and the Wallonia-Brussels Federation have invested greater than six million euros on this World Cup, each for the Wavre stadium and for the group of the occasion. I’m proud that we had been capable of be a part of forces to carry this bold challenge to life. If this World Cup sparks new vocations and conjures up a technology of younger folks to take up hockey, then we may have absolutely achieved our objective.”
Olivier Onclin, Vice Charmain Administration Board of Belfius: “It’s a nice honour to play a key position as a International Companion within the organisation and promotion of this main worldwide sporting occasion. This reinforces our unconditional help for the Crimson Panthers and Crimson Lions, who we have now been proudly supporting for a few years. They encourage a whole technology and embody values that we absolutely share: crew spirit, resilience, ambition and pushing boundaries. We’re very a lot wanting ahead to cheering them on collectively on the Belfius Hockey Enviornment, the place a brand new, superb chapter in Belgian hockey historical past will undoubtedly be written.”
For all details about the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026, please go to www.worldcup.hockey
For extra details about FIH and hockey normally, please obtain the Watch.Hockey app or observe the FIH social media channels – Fb, Instagram and Twitter – and web site.
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Supply: FIH.hockey
