FIH Hockey World Cup 2026: India, Germany, England and Belgium begin with wins on Day 1

 


The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 got off to an exciting start on Saturday, August 15, with eight matches across the men’s and women’s competitions in Wavre, Belgium, and Amstelveen, Netherlands. The opening day produced several strong performances, including convincing victories for India, Germany, England and the Netherlands, while the United States women held former runners-up Argentina to a 1-1 draw. 


India make winning start

India began their men’s campaign with a confident 3-1 victory over Wales in Pool D at Amstelveen, giving the team a winning start on India’s Independence Day. Sanjay opened the scoring in the eighth minute from a penalty corner before captain Harmanpreet Singh doubled the advantage three minutes later. Harmanpreet added his second goal in the third quarter, also from a penalty corner, before Wales pulled one back through Sam Welsh in the 56th minute. Harmanpreet was named Player of the Match. 


The result gave India three valuable points and a positive beginning to their campaign as they chase a second World Cup title after their triumph in 1975. India will next face England on August 17 before meeting arch-rivals Pakistan on August 19. 


Germany make a statement

Defending champions Germany made the most emphatic start among the men's teams, crushing Malaysia 5-1. Germany raced into a 3-0 lead inside the opening eight minutes, with Jakob Brilla, Christopher Ruhr and Justus Weigand finding the net. Malaysia reduced the deficit through Abu Kamal Azrai in the 40th minute, but Justus Warweg and Paul-Philipp Kaufmann added two more goals to complete a commanding victory. 


England overpower Pakistan

England also opened their Pool D campaign in style, defeating four-time champions Pakistan 4-1. The result gives England an early advantage in a highly competitive group that also contains India and Wales. Pakistan now face the difficult task of recovering quickly before their remaining pool matches. 


Belgium survive France challenge

Hosts and world No. 1-ranked Belgium had to work much harder for their opening victory. Belgium edged neighbours France 3-2 in an action-packed Pool B contest at Wavre. The result handed the hosts three points but underlined the competitiveness of a group containing Belgium, Germany, France and Malaysia. 


Women section 

Netherlands women begin title defence with victory

In the women's tournament, defending champions Netherlands defeated Chile 2-0. Marijn Veen broke the deadlock in the 21st minute with a deflection from a Yibbi Jansen pass, while Jansen herself doubled the lead from a penalty corner in the 35th minute. Chile goalkeeper Natalia Salvador produced an impressive performance to keep the scoreline respectable. Veen was named Player of the Match. 

Australia and Germany women also win

Australia defeated Japan 2-0 in the opening women's match of the entire World Cup. Claire Colwill scored both goals, converting penalty corners in the 27th and 51st minutes. She was subsequently named Player of the Match. 


Germany's women also made a winning start, beating Scotland 3-0, while Argentina and the United States played out a 1-1 draw. Brisa Bruggesser put Argentina ahead in the 11th minute before Emma DeBerdine equalised for the USA just before half-time. The Americans then defended strongly to secure a valuable point. 


Day 1 results

Competition

Match

Result

Women

Australia vs Japan

2-0

Women

Germany vs Scotland

3-0

Women

Netherlands vs Chile

2-0

Women

Argentina vs USA

1-1

Men

India vs Wales

3-1

Men

Germany vs Malaysia

5-1

Men

England vs Pakistan

4-1

Men

Belgium vs France

3-2

The official FIH results confirm that all four men's matches produced winners, while the women's competition featured three wins and one draw on the opening day. 


Day 1 therefore belonged to the established powers, with defending champions Germany and the Netherlands making strong starts, while India and England immediately put themselves in a favourable position in the highly competitive Pool D. The tournament continues on August 16, with Australia taking on Ireland, Spain facing South Africa, the Netherlands meeting New Zealand and Argentina playing Japan in the men's competition. 

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