Pakistan and India Drawn Together in Men’s Hockey World Cup Pool
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has placed Pakistan and India in the same group — Pool D — for the upcoming 2026 Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup, setting up one of the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures in the group stage.
The 2026 Hockey World Cup is scheduled to be co‑hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14‑30, 2026, with matches taking place across major venues in both countries. The official pool draw at the FIH ceremony confirmed the group pairings.
Pool D Group Composition
Pool D comprises four teams:
- India
- Pakistan
- England
- Wales
This draw ensures that Pakistan and India, long‑time rivals in international hockey, will face off at least once during the preliminary round of the tournament.
Significance of the Draw
The India‑Pakistan hockey rivalry is one of the sport’s most historic and intense matchups, dating back decades in international competitions, including the Olympics, World Cups, and Asia Cups. Meetings between the two sides typically draw large crowds and global attention.
Being drawn together in the same pool heightens excitement for fans from South Asia and around the world, as both teams bring storied hockey traditions to the biggest stage in the sport.
Pakistan’s Road to the World Cup
Pakistan secured its place in the 2026 Men’s Hockey World Cup after advancing through the qualification process earlier in the year, overcoming regional competition to earn a spot among the 16 teams competing for the world title.
What Comes Next
With Pool D now confirmed, Pakistan and India will prepare for their opening fixtures and the group stage schedule announced by FIH ahead of the tournament start in August. The world hockey community will be watching closely as the group draw sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling series of matches in field hockey’s premier global event.
