News for 18 August 2026
All the news for Tuesday 18 August 2026
FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026
Wagener Hockey Stadium (NED) - Belfius Hockey Arena (BEL)
All times GMT +2
Men
17 Aug 2026 12:30 PAK v WAL (D) 3 - 3 Wagener Hockey Stadium
17 Aug 2026 14:00 FRA v MAS (B) 3 - 3 Belfius Hockey Arena
17 Aug 2026 15:00 IND v ENG (D) 2 - 4 Wagener Hockey Stadium
17 Aug 2026 20:30 GER v BEL (B) 1 - 0 Belfius Hockey Arena
18 Aug 2026 09:30 NZL v JPN (A) 2 - 0 Wagener Hockey Stadium
18 Aug 2026 14:00 ESP v AUS (C) Belfius Hockey Arena
18 Aug 2026 17:00 IRL v RSA (C) Belfius Hockey Arena
18 Aug 2026 18:00 ARG v NED (A) Wagener Hockey Stadium
19 Aug 2026 12:30 ENG v WAL (D) Wagener Hockey Stadium
19 Aug 2026 15:00 PAK v IND (D) Wagener Hockey Stadium
19 Aug 2026 17:00 FRA v GER (B) Belfius Hockey Arena
19 Aug 2026 20:30 BEL v MAS (B) Belfius Hockey Arena
Pool standings
Women
17 Aug 2026 09:30 CHI v JPN (A) 0 - 3 Wagener Hockey Stadium
17 Aug 2026 11:00 USA v SCO (B) 3 - 2 Belfius Hockey Arena
17 Aug 2026 17:00 GER v ARG (B) 2 - 3 Belfius Hockey Arena
17 Aug 2026 18:00 AUS v NED (A) 2 - 4 Wagener Hockey Stadium
18 Aug 2026 11:00 NZL v IRL (C) Belfius Hockey Arena
18 Aug 2026 12:30 ENG v CHN (D) Wagener Hockey Stadium
18 Aug 2026 15:00 IND v RSA (D) Wagener Hockey Stadium
18 Aug 2026 20:30 ESP v BEL (C) Belfius Hockey Arena
19 Aug 2026 09:30 CHI v AUS (A) Wagener Hockey Stadium
19 Aug 2026 11:00 ARG v SCO (B) Belfius Hockey Arena
19 Aug 2026 14:00 USA v GER (B) Belfius Hockey Arena
19 Aug 2026 18:00 NED v JPN (A) Wagener Hockey Stadium
Pool standings
FIH Match Centre
Late drama, big wins and pool-topping performances highlight day three of FIH Hockey World Cup
Germany and England’s men and the Netherlands and Argentina’s women all finished the day on top of their respective pools after a high-scoring round of action at the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Pakistan stays on course for 2nd phase after sharing 6 goals.
By Shahid Khan 
Pakistan’s second Pool D match at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Wales at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in the Netherlands.
Pakistan-Wales FIH Hockey World Cup match ends in draw
Pakistan to play final Pool match against arch-rivals India on Wednesday
Pakistan's Rana Ashraf Waheed (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring goal during their FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 match against Wales here at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on August 17, 2026. — FIH
AMSTELVEEN: Pakistan’s second Pool D match at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Wales at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in the Netherlands on Monday.
Wales hold Pakistan to 3-3 draw as World Cup hopes hang by a thread
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s hopes of making it to the top eight of the Hockey World Cup suffered a major blow on Monday as the Green Shirts surrendered a lead to settle for a disappointing 3-3 draw against 15th-ranked Wales, leaving their campaign hanging by a thread.
Pakistan fight back to draw 3-3 with Wales in World Cup thriller
LAHORE - Pakistan staged a spirited late fightback to hold Wales to a thrilling 3-3 draw in their second Pool D match of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium on Monday, keeping their qualification hopes alive ahead of a crucial clash with arch-rivals India. Pakistan made an ideal start when Abdul Rehman opened the scoring with a field goal in the third minute. Wales gradually regained control and turned the match around in the second quarter, with Gareth Furlong equalising in the 25th minute before Rhys Bradshaw put the hosts 2-1 ahead just 31 seconds later.
Wales snatch thrilling World Cup draw with Pakistan
By Gareth Bailey
Jacob Draper and Gareth Furlong celebrate Wales' opening goal. Image source, World Sport Pics
Wales and Pakistan played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in pool D at the Hockey World Cup in Amsterdam.
Speedy Tigers saw France slip from their jaws
By Aftar Singh
Malaysia had to settle for a 3-3 draw with France in a Group B match in Wavre, Belgium on Monday. COURTESY PIC
KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's hockey team were denied a win over France in the World Cup after their goal, with 20 seconds to go, was disallowed.
Harimau Malaya jealous of Speedy Tigers?
By Aftar Singh
Malaysia players (in yellow) against France in a World Cup group match in Wavre, Belgium on Monday. — PIC FROM FIH
KUALA LUMPUR: A few days ago, the national men's hockey team took on world champions Germany and lost. Tomorrow in another World Cup group match in Wavre, Belgium, Malaysia will meet world No. 1 Belgium.
Indian Men’s Team goes down fighting 2-4 to England in FIH Hockey World Cup
India led 2-1 at one stage but England came back to score thrice and take all three points, which confirmed a top-two finish for the English team in Pool D
Amstelveen: The Indian Men’s Team suffered a 2-4 defeat against England in their second Pool D match of the FIH World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Monday.
England men qualify after classic India tussle
By Rod Gilmour
Henry Croft celebrates his first World Cup goal PIC: FIH/WorldSportPics
This was far removed from their thrilling 0-0 at the 2023 World Cup, but England and India served up a 4-2 treat in Amsterdam three years on as Zak Jones’ side confirmed their place in the next phase of the 2026 men’s edition.
India surrender half-time lead to lose 2-4 to England
Amstelveen [Netherlands]: India let a two-goal advantage slip after half-time as England staged a strong comeback to register a 4-2 victory in their second Pool D match of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Stadium here on Monday.
India loses to England in Hockey World Cup 2026 ahead of Pakistan clash
While India could still reach the next round, this result will only make its path to the semifinals harder.
Aashin Prasad
England’s Henry Croft celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal against India. | Photo Credit: Hockey India
The visuals, under the gloomy skies in Amstelveen at the Wagener Stadion, painted quite the picture.
India concede three second-half goals to lose 2-4 to England in Men's Hockey World Cup
India suffered a 2-4 defeat to England at the 2026 Men's Hockey World Cup despite taking a 2-1 lead at half-time. Nicholas Bandurak scored twice for England.
India concede three second-half goals to lose 2-4 to England in Men's Hockey World Cup (photo credit: Hockey India)
India's men's hockey team surrendered a half-time lead to suffer a 2-4 defeat against higher-ranked England in their second Pool D match at the 2026 Hockey World Cup in Amstelveen on Monday.
How India’s Hockey World Cup semifinal chances have been affected by loss to England
India's loss to England in the Hockey World Cup will have a say on whether they make it to the semifinal or not, even if they go through to the 2nd round of the tournament without too much of a glitch.
India need to beat Pakistan to ensure they go through to the second round regardless of what happens in the other Pool D match. (Hockey India Photo)
India have started the men’s Hockey World Cup with a win and a loss, and the latter of those could have long reaching effects on their chances to make it to the last four of the tournament for the first time since 1975, which is also the only year they won it. India were outplayed by England on Monday and suffered a 4-2 loss, the first time in just over 12 years that a match between the two sides finished with a goal difference of more than one.
Mervyn Fernandis: England Made Their Chances Count, India Did Not
s2h team
Former India hockey star and living legend Mervyn Fernandis believes the difference between India and England in their second Pool D match was simple: England converted their opportunities, while India did not.Reflecting on India’s 2–4 defeat, Fernandis said the result raised questions about India’s man-to-man marking in dangerous areas, penalty-corner conversion and the team’s ability to capitalise on scoring opportunities.
USWNT Holds Off Scotland to Earn FIH Hockey World Cup Victory
WAVRE, Belgium – The No. 11 U.S. Women’s National Team battled through a tightly contested match to defeat No. 14 Scotland, 3–2, and earn their first win of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
USA edge out Scotland women to take all three points at the World Cup
Playing in their first World Cup in 24 years was not the only momentous occasion this week, with Amy Costello reaching a huge milestone as she earned her 100th cap for Scotland. With a further 69 caps for Great Britain to her name, Amy has built an incredible international career. What a fantastic achievement.
Dutch men face Argentina in World Cup hockey, women win again
Luna Fokke (r) on the ball as the Dutch take on Australia. Photo: Koen van Weel/ANP
The Dutch men’s hockey team are taking on Argentina in their second World Cup group match on Tuesday, with the winners set to take a giant step towards the knock-out rounds
Hockeyroos fall short to world number one Netherlands in gutsy performance
The Hockeyroos have fallen to world number one the Netherlands in their second match of the FIH Hockey World Cup, going down 4-2 despite an outstanding performance against the reigning world champions.
Ireland prepare to face South African star twins in crucial World Cup test with the help of a little inside knowledge
Ireland assistant coach Neville Rothman before the FIH Hockey World Cup defeat to Australia © Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Ireland men’s assistant coach Neville Rothman first came into contact with two of the Green Machine’s “combative” opponents today over a decade ago.
Margin for error shrinks as Ireland’s men and women chase crucial wins
South Africa and New Zealand the opponents in important group games
Mary Hannigan
Ireland line out for the anthems before Sunday's Hockey World Cup group game against Spain, which Spain won 3-2. Photograph: Rodrigo Jaramillo/INPHO
It’s not quite D-Day on Tuesday for Ireland’s men and women in their quest to secure a top-two finish in their World Cup groups. However, having lost their opening games on Sunday, they’re in serious need of positive results against South Africa and New Zealand, respectively.
India Women Look to Heal Hockey Fans’ Wounds as they take on South Africa Today
s2h Team
The Indian women’s hockey team will have an opportunity to provide a soothing balm to Indian hockey fans who were severely wounded by the not-so-good show of the men’s team against England yesterday. As India prepare to face South Africa in their Women’s World Cup encounter at 18:30 hrs IST today, the numbers suggest a contest in which experience and higher ranking are firmly on the Indian side.
India vs Pakistan Hockey: How India stunned Pakistan 7-1 in their last meeting
India vs Pakistan: From Pakistan taking an early lead to India sealing a 7-1 win, here is what happened in the rivals’ last hockey meeting.
India beat Pakistan 7-1 in its penultimate FIH Pro League 2025-26 match at London’s Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre. | Photo Credit: FIH
India and Pakistan meet again at the Men’s Hockey World Cup on Wednesday, with their group-stage clash carrying the memory of a one-sided encounter less than two months ago.
"Show a bit of composure" - Fulton's message to India ahead of must-not-lose Pakistan clash
Team India (Pic credit: Hockey India)
NEW DELHI: India head coach Craig Fulton has urged his side to show greater composure and sharpen their defensive discipline against Pakistan after England exposed their weaknesses in a 2-4 defeat in their second Pool D match of the Hockey World Cup on Monday.
India coach wary of defensive lapses, wants composure vs Pakistan
India head coach Craig Fulton admitted that defensive lapses after the break proved costly as England handed India a 4-2 defeat in their second pool match of the men's Hockey World Cup on Monday.
By Saurabh Kumar
Defensive lapses prove costly as India suffer 2-4 loss to England (AFP Photo)
India head coach Craig Fulton admitted that defensive lapses in the third quarter cost his side dearly as England beat India 4-2 in their second pool match of the men's Hockey World Cup on Monday.
‘Forget about the pressure': Ajit Pal Singh's simple World Cup advice for India
The 1975 Hockey World Cup-winning captain explains why teamwork must come before individual brilliance and explains the leadership responsibility on Harmanpreet Singh.
By Joe Williams
More than half a century after captaining India to their only men's Hockey World Cup title, Ajit Pal Singh has a simple piece of advice for the current team: forget about the pressure.
'Don't Concede Penalty Corners': Pakistan Great's Advice Before India Hockey World Cup Clash
Pakistan need a win to keep their campaign alive, while India can progress to the next round with a draw.
Samiullah Khan feels Pakistan's largely young side can handle the pressure.© X (Twitter)
Pakistan hockey legend Samiullah Khan has sounded a clarion call to his team, urging them to forge an impenetrable defensive wall and ensure they do not surrender penalty corners in the crucial opening quarter of their high-stakes FIH World Cup pool clash against arch-rivals India on Wednesday. Pakistan need a win to keep their campaign alive, while India can progress to the next round with a draw.
Pakistan's qualification scenario for Second Pool Phase of FIH Hockey World Cup
England's win over India has boosted Pakistan’s hopes of reaching next stage
Pakistan players sing the national anthem ahead of their FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 match against Wales at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in the Netherlands on August 17, 2026. — FIH
AMSTELVEEN: Pakistan’s qualification scenario for the Second Pool Phase of the ongoing FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 is now clear, with a draw or defeat against arch-rivals India in their final Pool D match set to end the Green Shirts’ campaign.
India vs Pakistan at Hockey World Cup: Revisiting the 1975 campaign that made history
India and Pakistan meet at the Hockey World Cup for the first time in 16 years. Revisit the dramatic 1975 campaign and the final that gave India its only World Cup title.
Pakistan's Manzoor-ul Hassan rushes out to clear off the Indian player Shivaji Pawar's attempt during the 1975 Hockey World Cup final. India went on to win the title with a 2-1 margin. | Photo Credit: THE HINDU ARCHIVES
India will meet Pakistan at the men’s Hockey World Cup for the first time in 16 years on Wednesday, bringing one of the sport’s most storied rivalries back to the tournament stage.
India-Pakistan handshake row: Will hockey players shake hands before World Cup 2026 clash
Anselm Noronha
India-Pakistan handshake row: Will hockey players shake hands before World Cup 2026 clash image
India and Pakistan will witness one of the most heated rivalries in international hockey when they go head-to-head at the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026 on Wednesday.
Sjoerd Marijne questions officiating after goal stands
The Indian coach questioned the officiating after Ying Zhang converted a stroke to help China draw level.
Sjoerd Marijne shared the replay clip of the penalty stroke on his social media which has since been taken down. (Photo credit: India Today)
Sjoerd Marijne, head coach of the Indian women's hockey team, took to social media on Monday about what he deemed was a contentious call in his side's group-stage clash with China a day earlier — a China penalty stroke that leveled the score at 1-1.
Every Design, A Story: Hockeyroos and Kookaburras take Indigenous uniform to the world stage
Australia’s Hockeyroos and Kookaburras are carrying a powerful piece of home with them at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, proudly wearing a specially designed Indigenous uniform that celebrates culture, connection and the journeys of Australia’s national teams.
Get Ready for the 2026 FIH Para Hockey World Cup
In three days, 16 teams will make history at the first-ever FIH Para Hockey World Cup. In their international debut, USA's Hockey ii (intellectual impairment) team will compete on the biggest stage.
Nominations received for EB members’ elections
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) can now confirm the nominations received by the deadline of 15 August 2026 by 23:59 Swiss time (CEST) for the following positions of Executive Board (EB) ordinary member to be elected at the 50th FIH Statutory Congress on 24 October 2026, in Doha, Qatar:
Hockey Haryana, Hockey Jharkhand and Hockey Karnataka continue winning run at Junior Women National Championship
Pune, Maharashtra: The 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026 witnessed another action-packed day in Pune, Maharashtra, with teams across Divisions ‘A’ and ‘B’ producing several commanding performances.