Hockey World Cup 2026 India Schedule IST Timings and Where to Watch Live

The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest hockey events in years — the first-ever men's edition to be co-hosted by two countries, featuring a revamped format, and carrying serious weight for India, who haven't won the men's title since 1975. This guide covers the full India schedule with IST timings, squad details, the new tournament format, and exactly where to watch every match live in India.

Hockey World Cup 2026 Dates and Venues

The tournament runs from 15 to 30 August 2026, jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands — the first time the Men's Hockey World Cup has ever been co-hosted by two nations. Matches are played across two venues: the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, and the newly built Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium. The men's and women's tournaments run simultaneously, each featuring 16 national teams.

India's group-stage matches are all played at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen. The women's final is scheduled for 29 August in Amsterdam, and the men's final follows on 30 August in Wavre.

India Men's Hockey World Cup 2026 Schedule (IST)

India's men's team, captained by Harmanpreet Singh under head coach Craig Fulton, has been placed in Pool D alongside England, Pakistan, and Wales — widely regarded as one of the toughest groups in the tournament.

India's opening match against Wales on 15 August sets the tone for the campaign, but the fixture generating the most attention by far is the India vs Pakistan clash on 19 August — one of international hockey's fiercest rivalries, and a result that could heavily influence Pool D standings heading into the knockout stages.

India Women's Hockey World Cup 2026 Schedule (IST)

India's women's team, captained by Salima Tete, also competes in Pool D, and enters the tournament looking to better their best-ever finish of fourth place, set back in 1974. India qualified for this World Cup after finishing runners-up at the qualifiers held in Hyderabad earlier in 2026.

Where to Watch Hockey World Cup 2026 Live in India

All matches of the Hockey World Cup 2026, including every India fixture, are available to watch live in India through two official channels:

• TV broadcast: Live telecast on the Star Sports network.
• Live streaming: Available on the JioHotstar app and website.

No other platform holds official broadcast rights for the tournament in India, so these two are the only reliable sources for live coverage of every match, including the India vs Pakistan fixture on 19 August.

New Tournament Format Explained

The 2026 edition introduces a revamped hybrid format for both the men's and women's competitions, replacing the traditional pool-plus-quarterfinal structure used in previous editions.

• Pool Stage: 16 teams are divided into four pools of four teams each (Pools A, B, C, and D).
• Intermediate Round: The top two teams from each pool advance into two new groups — the top two from Pools A and D form one intermediate group, and the top two from Pools B and C form the other. Points earned against the other advancing team from the original pool carry forward into this stage.
• Semi-Finals: The top two teams from each Intermediate Round group advance directly to the semi-finals.
• Classification Matches: Teams finishing third and fourth in each pool enter separate classification rounds to determine final tournament rankings.

Notably, this format removes the traditional direct quarter-final knockout stage used in earlier World Cups, meaning every group-stage result carries extra weight — a single dropped point can significantly affect a team's path through the Intermediate Round.

India's Title Chances

India's men's team enters the tournament among the favorites alongside Germany, Belgium, Australia, and the Netherlands, with defending champions Germany looking to retain their title. For India specifically, the stakes carry historical weight — the men's team last won the World Cup in 1975 and has featured in every edition since, without repeating that success. A strong showing through the tough Pool D group, especially against Pakistan and England, will be central to any realistic title push through the new Intermediate Round format.

The women's team, meanwhile, is chasing a first-ever World Cup medal of any color, aiming to surpass their best-ever finish of fourth place from 1974.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Hockey World Cup 2026 start?

The Hockey World Cup 2026 runs from 15 to 30 August 2026, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

When does India play Pakistan in the Hockey World Cup 2026?

India's men's team plays Pakistan on 19 August 2026 at 6:30 PM IST at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

Where can I watch the Hockey World Cup 2026 live in India?

Live telecast is available on the Star Sports network, and live streaming is available on the JioHotstar app and website.

What is India's full group-stage schedule?

India's men play Wales (15 August, 4:30 PM IST), England (17 August, 6:30 PM IST), and Pakistan (19 August, 6:30 PM IST). India's women play China (16 August, 4:30 PM IST), South Africa (18 August, 6:30 PM IST), and England (20 August, 6:30 PM IST). All matches are at the Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen.

When did India last win the Hockey World Cup?

India's men's team last won the Hockey World Cup in 1975 and has featured in every edition since without a repeat title. The women's team has never won a World Cup medal, with their best finish being fourth place in 1974.

Who is captaining India's teams at the 2026 World Cup?

Harmanpreet Singh captains the men's team under head coach Craig Fulton, and Salima Tete captains the women's team.

When are the Hockey World Cup 2026 finals?

The women's final is on 29 August 2026 in Amsterdam, and the men's final is on 30 August 2026 in Wavre, Belgium.

Last updated: 9 August 2026. Match timings are as officially confirmed by the FIH; check closer to each fixture for any last-minute schedule changes.