The Indian men’s hockey team is all set to renew its hockey rivalry with Pakistan as the arch-rivals have been grouped for the upcoming Hockey World Cup 2026 in August. India and Pakistan are in Group D along with England and Wales and will play their matches in the Netherlands.
The Indian women’s team also faces a tough line-up at the Women’s World Cup, having been drawn in Group D along with China, England and South Africa. The full schedule will be announced soon, with all eyes on the date of the India-Pakistan clash on the men’s side.
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India are unbeaten against Pakistan in men’s hockey since 2016, with their last meeting coming in 2024 during the Asian Champions Trophy. The two teams were earlier scheduled to play in the 2025 Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar Pakistan decided to withdraw from the tournament citing security concerns. India won the title and secured a place in the World Cup.
Pakistan hockey has been tested in the last few months after the players were subjected to an embarrassing ordeal during their hockey league tour of Australia. However, they managed to turn the situation around Egypt during World Cup qualification and reached the tournament for the first time in eight years.
India have a better head-to-head record over Pakistan since 2013, winning 17 out of 26 matches.
The Indian women’s team also secured their place in the World Cup through qualification and will look to continue their resurgence in Sjoerd Marijne’s second stint as coach.
FIH HOCKEY WORLD CUP: COMPLETE DRAW
Women:
Group A: Netherlands, Australia, Chile, Japan (played in Netherlands)
Group B: Argentina, Germany, USA, Scotland (played in Belgium)
Group C: Belgium, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland (played in Belgium)
Group D: China, England, India, South Africa (played in Netherlands)
Men:
Group A: Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, Japan (played in Netherlands)
Group B: Belgium, Germany, France, Malaysia (played in Belgium)
Group C: Australia, Spain, Ireland, South Africa (played in Belgium)
Group D: England, India, Pakistan, Wales (played in Netherlands)
– The end
Published on:
18 March 2026 09:30 IST
