India Gears Up for FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Europe: Schedule & Streaming

The highly anticipated FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 is kicking off in just days, with the Indian Men's Hockey Team set to begin their campaign on August 15 against Wales. Co-hosted by hockey strongholds Belgium and the Netherlands, the quadrennial tournament will see India battling fierce rivals England and Pakistan in a challenging Pool D, aiming to end their decades-long wait for a World Cup medal. The action unfolds across the state-of-the-art Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium, and the historic Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, promising a thrilling fortnight of world-class hockey. Under the guidance of coach Craig Fulton and captain Harmanpreet Singh, the Indian squad, featuring seasoned veteran Manpreet Singh, has been intensely preparing for this prestigious event. Their recent performance in the FIH Pro League saw them finish eighth, picking up crucial wins against top teams like the Netherlands and Germany, which coach Fulton believes has sharpened their defense and ability to handle pressure. This World Cup introduces a new format, ditching traditional quarter-finals for a second group stage called 'Crossover Pools', meaning every team plays at least five matches, putting even more emphasis on consistency from the very first whistle. Indian fans can catch all the action live on Star Sports channels and stream it on JioCinema or JioHotstar. After their opening match against Wales, India faces Pakistan on August 19, followed by England on August 20, all pivotal Group Stage encounters. The new format means the top two teams from Pool D will advance to the Crossover Pools, keeping their medal hopes alive. With the tournament running until August 30, the Men in Blue have a clear path ahead, and their performance in these initial matches will be crucial for their journey deep into the competition.