News for 26 August 2026
All the news for Wednesday 26 August 2026
FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026
Wagener Hockey Stadium (NED) - Belfius Hockey Arena (BEL)
All times GMT +2
Men
25, 26 & 27 Aug 2026 are rest days
Final Pool standings
Women
25 & 26 Aug 2026 are rest days
27 Aug 2026 09:30 RSA v IRL (13/14) Wagener Hockey Stadium
27 Aug 2026 11:00 CHI v NZL (15/16) Belfius Hockey Arena
27 Aug 2026 12:30 JPN v SCO (11/12) Wagener Hockey Stadium
27 Aug 2026 14:00 ENG v USA (9/10) Belfius Hockey Arena
27 Aug 2026 15:00 IND v GER (5/6) Wagener Hockey Stadium
27 Aug 2026 17:00 CHN v ESP (7/8) Belfius Hockey Arena
27 Aug 2026 18:00 NED v BEL (SF) Wagener Hockey Stadium
27 Aug 2026 20:30 ARG v AUS (SF) Belfius Hockey Arena
Pool standings
FIH Match Centre
Semis line-up finalised in Hockey World Cup
ISLAMABAD: Argentina and the Netherlands secured the final two semi-final berths at the FIH Hockey World Cup after a dramatic day of action, while Germany also ended Spain’s hopes in the women’s event.
Argentina reaches field hockey World Cup semis with both men’s and women’s teams
The Leonas and Leones are one of just two nations with both teams in the semifinals of the simultaneous tournaments
Fernando Romero Nuñez
The Argentine men’s and women’s national field hockey teams secured spots in the 2026 World Cup semifinals on Monday.
Tayyab Ikram: "Hockey is winning"
FIH/WorldSportPics
FIH President Tayyab Ikram spoke one-to-one with Inside The Games in Louvain-la-Neuve during the World Cup, discussing athletes, audiences, global growth, Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 2032 and international hockey's future direction.
Inside the Hockey World Cup: Rain, broken gear and menacing shoelaces
A reporter’s diary from the Hockey World Cup in Amstelveen, from Dutch hockey’s dominance and unpredictable weather to menacing shoelaces and broken gear.
Aashin Prasad
Glory galore: Amsterdam AH&BC is mainland Europe’s oldest hockey club, with a 125-year history. It has enjoyed such success that its honours cannot fit in the clubhouse trophy case, with several trophies waiting their turn to go on display. | Photo Credit: Aashin Prasad
Amstelveen has so far matched expectations: tidy and efficient, much like the Dutch hockey teams at this World Cup. Covering the Indian teams’ (mis)fortunes at the event meant setting up camp in this quaint Amsterdam suburb for the first 10 days, putting a visit to the other co-host, Wavre in Belgium, on hold.
What went wrong for India?
India's title hopes at the 2026 FIH Men's World Cup came to a halt after loss to Argentina.
Indian men's hockey team at 2026 FIH World Cup (Photo credit: Hockey India) By The Bridge Desk Published: 25 Aug 2026 11:45 AM India's men's hockey team crashed out of contention from the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 without a single point from Phase 2. A 1-3 defeat to co-hosts Netherlands followed by a 3-5 loss to Argentina saw their campaign unravel within the span of four days.
Wilting Under Pressure Of Expectations, Nervy India Squander It All
Finishing at the bottom of the group, India will play Belgium, the 2018 World champions and 2021 Olympic gold medallists, in the play-off for the seventh position.
By Sandeep Nakai
India suffer 3-5 defeat against Argentina in men's hockey World Cup 2026 Pool E match on Monday. (Picture Credit: X/@TheHockeyIndia)
The best of teams crumble under pressure. The pressure from expectations can leave the finest athletes fumbling and uncertain. Expectations beyond the ability of the Indian men’s hockey team were being built for two days by mathematical calculations looking at the way skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s squad could sneak into the semi-finals of the hockey World Cup.
India’s listless Hockey World Cup show sparks alarm
Manuja Veerappa
India's Dilpreet Singh in action during the World Cup Field Hockey pool D match between India and Pakistan in Amstelveen, Netherlands.
BENGALURU: If the eighth place in the FIH Pro League sounded the warning bells, the Indian men’s hockey team has done little to show they heard it.
Embarrassing the country at the world stage is intolerable': Ashok Kumar
1975 Hockey World Cup-winning hero Ashok Kumar, son of the legendary Dhyan Chand, does a match-by-match analysis to explain Harmanpreet Singh & Co’s poor show at the ongoing quadrennial showpiece event; insists just five field goals in five matches is embarrassing
Ashwin Ferro
India skipper Harmanpreet Singh against Argentina on Monday. Pics/Hockey India
To say that Ashok Kumar is angry about the Indian men’s hockey team’s poor show at the World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands is an understatement. According to the son of hockey wizard Dhyan Chand and scorer of the title-winning goal in India’s only World Cup-winning performance 51 years ago, “It’s one thing to lose a match or two, but embarrassing the country at the world stage is intolerable.”
A letter, a few gifts and a final connection: Savita Punia and Bichu Devi’s emotional meeting with late coach Simon Zijp’s wife
A letter, chocolates and wooden shoes bring back memories for Savita Punia and Bichu Devi as they meet the wife of late coach Simon Zijp.
Aashin Prasad
Moving moment: Bichu Devi and Savita Punia appeared emotional as Caroline Busch, widow of late Dutch goalkeeping coach Simon Zijp, handed them a sealed letter. Zijp had trained the Indian goalkeepers since February last year and was due to return in November. | Photo Credit: Aashin Prasad
Savita Punia and Bichu Devi, India’s two goalkeepers, had put together a strong Hockey World Cup campaign. Ahead of their virtual knockout game against Australia, the pair, in full gear, was set to go through its drills to get the blood pumping.
National team must rebuild for Asian Games after World Cup struggle
By Aftar Singh
Malaysia line up for the national anthem prior to the match against South Africa at the FIH Hockey World Cup in Wavre, Belgium on Aug 23, 2026. -- PIC from Malaysian Hockey Confederation FB
KUALA LUMPUR: The national hockey players need to bounce back after their failure at the World Cup for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games from Sept 19 to Oct 4.
"Everyone Wants To Play Cricket": Pakistan Hockey's Big Problem Decoded After Hockey World Cup Failure
Former Pakistan hockey players have lamented the team's dismal performance at the ongoing World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium, calling for an injection of fresh blood to revive the country's once-glorious hockey tradition.
File image of Pakistan men's hockey team© X (Formerly Twitter)
Former Pakistan hockey players have lamented the team's dismal performance at the ongoing World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium, calling for an injection of fresh blood to revive the country's once-glorious hockey tradition.
Malaysia strike historic bronze at Para Hockey World Cup
Malaysia marked their World Cup debut by securing a historic bronze at the inaugural 2026 Para ID Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands on Aug 25, 2026. -- PIC from Malaysia Para Hockey ID Team FB
IPOH: Malaysia's Para ID hockey team marked their World Cup debut in style, securing a historic bronze at the inaugural 2026 Para ID Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Beyond medals, India's para hockey players discover a world of confidence
Amstelveen, While India's hockey teams chased a World Cup medal, 10 youngsters from the country were discovering something equally valuable away from the spotlight of the Wagener Stadium the confidence to dream bigger.
Masters Hockey World Cup Over-60: Dr. Zafar Iqbal's dream of playing hockey for Pakistan comes true
By Afnan Malik
Dr. Zafar Iqbal, a resident of Traralgon on the outskirts of Melbourne, has recently returned after representing Pakistan at the Masters Hockey World Cup held in the Over-60 category. The tournament was played in Belgium and the Netherlands. What makes it special is that this Pakistani team took part in a Masters world event after a gap of nearly 20 years, and it included several senior international players, among them the well-known hockey player Shahbaz Senior.
According to Dr. Zafar Iqbal, this Masters World Cup comprised different age groups, ranging from players as young as 35 to as old as 75, and he himself was part of the Over-60 category team. He said that Pakistan's team received a formal invitation from the Netherlands, after which Shahbaz Senior formed the team, and he himself earned his place on the team by giving trials in Lahore.
HIL on shaky ground — Hockey India battles on several fronts to sustain league
It is learnt that more than one team in the Hockey India League are on the verge of exiting and there are question marks over the women’s competition as well.
Uthra Ganesan
Representative Image: The men’s Hockey India League is likely to see fewer teams down from the eight in the first two editions, and interest from foreign players have also been low for the upcoming season. | Photo Credit: R. Ragu
Even as the Indian hockey teams returned with disappointing performances from the ongoing FIH World Cup, the revived Hockey India League’s (HIL) third edition seems to be on shaky ground.
Save women’s Hockey India League, World Cup stars appeal
Players say the league has boosted confidence and broadened India’s talent pool as the team eyes its best World Cup finish since 1974.
SG Pipers, winner of the last edition of the Women’s Hockey India League, pose for pictures during the title celebrations at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Ranchi. | Photo Credit: R. V. MOORTHY
India’s hockey players have made an emotional appeal to save the Women’s Hockey India League, saying the tournament has played a crucial role in building the confidence of a young team that is on the verge of its best-ever World Cup finish since 1974.
FIH Athletes Forum puts athletes’ voice, wellbeing and future at the heart of hockey
The voice, wellbeing and future of athletes took centre stage as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) organised its first-ever FIH Athletes Forum on the sidelines of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026.
Parktown hockey players enjoy national team experience
For Parktown Boys’ High learners Hoosen Jabbar and Ndyebo Pongwana, representing South Africa in Hockey5s was a chance to test themselves at international level, make memories in Kenya and help the country qualify for the World Cup.
Thato Modopi
Hoosen Jabbar and Head boy Ndyebo Pongwana at the World Cup Qualifier 5s Tournament in Kenya with their teammates to represent South Africa. Photo: Supplied
Parktown Boys’ High School learners Hoosen Jabbar (17) and Ndyebo Pongwana (18) returned from Kenya with more than an international sporting achievement.
2026 NCAA Field Hockey Season Preview: Division I
by Allison Keefe
We've been patiently waiting—278 days to be exact—since Northwestern hoisted the trophy high in Durham, N.C. But the wait is finally over, because this Friday, Division I college field hockey is back. Here are some of the teams to watch as we preview the season.
Field Hockey Picked First in Ivy League Preseason Poll
PRINCETON, N.J. – With the start of the 2026 season just 11 days away, Harvard field hockey earned the top spot in the Ivy League's preseason poll, edging out Princeton for the top spot with 10 first place votes and 121 points overall.
Field Hockey Opens 2026 Season at No. 4 in Penn Monto/NFHCA National Preseason Coaches Poll
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Harvard field hockey, the defending Ivy League regular season champion, will open the 2026 season at No. 4 in the Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Preseason Coaches Poll. The No. 4 ranking represents Harvard's highest ever ranking in the preseason portion of the Penn Monto/NFHCA National Coaches Poll.
Field Hockey Selected Fifth in Ivy League Preseason Poll
PRINCETON, N.J. - The Brown field hockey team was selected fifth in the 2026 Ivy League preseason poll, the Ivy League announced on Tuesday.
Penn State field hockey forward and midfield position preview
Owen Lomotan
Forward Emmy Mcculley (22) handles the ball during the Penn State field hockey game against Bucknell at the Multi Sport Facility on Tuesday, Mar. 3, 2026 in University Park, Pa. Brayden Burns
Penn State had its ups and downs in 2025, but nevertheless showcased what it’s capable of this year. The Nittany Lions finished last fall 7-10 overall and eighth in the conference, with a 2-6 record in Big Ten play.
Chhattisgarh to host India’s first state league
Indian hockey stalwarts and Olympic medallists, Gurjant Singh, Shamsher Singh and Surender Kumar along with other prominent Indian team features Jaskaran Singh and Devindar Walmiki named marquee players.
L-R Yashwant Kumar, Secretary DSYW, Arun Sao, Deputy Chief Minister, Chhattisgarh and Firoz Ansari, President, Hockey Chhattisgarh ( Photo Credit : Hockey Chhattisgarh)
In a landmark announcement today, the Sports and Youth Welfare Department of Chhattisgarh announced the inaugural season of the Chhattisgarh Hockey League in an event held today.The franchise-based league will kick off on the proposed dates 21st of October till the 1st of November 2026 at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium, Raipur.