The FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 will begin on 15 August, with the Netherlands and Belgium co-hosting the 16-team tournament. The competition will feature 50 matches across Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen and the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, with the final scheduled in Amstelveen.
Key Highlights:
- India face China, South Africa and England in Pool D
- Netherlands and Belgium co-host the 16-team tournament
- Watch India’s matches live on Star Sports and JioHotstar
The Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 will run alongside the men’s Hockey World Cup, marking only the third occasion when both competitions take place simultaneously. The previous editions to follow this format were held in Utrecht in 1998 and The Hague in 2014.
The India women’s hockey team has been drawn in Pool D alongside China, England and South Africa. Captain Salima Tete will lead the Indian side, which enters the tournament after an unbeaten run in the FIH Nations Cup.
India will begin its Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign against China on 16 August at 4:30 pm IST at the Wagener Stadium. The team will then face South Africa on 18 August at 6:30 pm before taking on England on 20 August at the same venue.
India’s best finish at the Women’s Hockey World Cup remains fourth place, achieved in 1974. The team will aim to progress beyond the pool stage under head coach Sjoerd Marijne.
The 2026 Hockey World Cup introduces a revised competition structure. The 16 teams will initially compete in four pools of four. From 21 August, the teams will move into a second group phase based on their first-round results.
The top two teams from each second-stage group will advance directly to the semi-finals, eliminating the traditional quarter-final stage. The semi-finals are scheduled for 27 and 28 August, followed by the third-place match and final on 29 August.
Pool A features Australia, Chile, Japan and the Netherlands, while Pool B comprises Argentina, Germany, Scotland and the United States. Pool C includes Belgium, Spain, Ireland and New Zealand.
The Netherlands, the defending champions and the most successful team in Women’s Hockey World Cup history, will enter the tournament as one of the leading contenders. The co-hosts will also look to capitalise on home support as they pursue another title.
Indian viewers can watch the Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 live on the Star Sports Network, while matches will also stream on JioHotstar through its app and website.
The tournament will bring together the world’s leading women’s hockey teams over two weeks, with India facing a challenging Pool D featuring England, China and South Africa. With the competition beginning on Independence Day 2026, India’s campaign will add another major sporting event to the country’s 15 August celebrations.
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