An official draw ceremony took place on March 17 at the esteemed Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This venue will co-host the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup alongside the newly constructed Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium. The event revealed the eight pools for the group stage of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, bringing together teams from around the globe.
Group Stage Pools for Women
The groupings for the women’s division are as follows: Pool A consists of the Netherlands, Australia, Chile, and Japan, which will play in the Netherlands. Pool B includes Argentina, Germany, the USA, and Scotland, scheduled to play in Belgium. Pool C features Belgium, Spain, New Zealand, and Ireland, all competing in Belgium. Pool D comprises China, England, India, and South Africa, with matches held in the Netherlands.
Group Stage Pools for Men
In the men’s category, the draw revealed the following pools: Pool A will include the Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, and Japan, competing in the Netherlands. Pool B features Belgium, Germany, France, and Malaysia, playing in Belgium. Pool C consists of Australia, Spain, Ireland, and South Africa, also scheduled to play in Belgium. Finally, Pool D includes England, India, Pakistan, and Wales, with matches taking place in the Netherlands.
High-Profile Attendance at the Event
The draw ceremony was attended by notable figures in the hockey community, including FIH President Tayyab Ikram, FIH Vice-President and EuroHockey President Marcos Hofman, and FIH Executive Board Member Erik Cornelissen. Leadership from the Dutch and Belgian Hockey Federations, including Dutch Hockey Federation President Erik Klein Nagelvoort and Belgian Hockey Federation President Patrick Keusters, were also present.
Captains from the Dutch and Belgian teams, comprising Renee van Laarhoven, Marijn Veen, Thierry Brinkman, and Lars Balk from the Netherlands, alongside Charlotte Englebert, Michelle Struijk, Arthur Van Doren, and vice-captain Arthur De Sloover from Belgium, participated in the event, along with head coaches Raoul Ehren, Jeroen Delmee from the Netherlands, and Adam Commens, Shane McLeod from Belgium. Representatives from local authorities and commercial partners were also in attendance.