Pakistan drawn with arch-rivals India in blockbuster FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 group

The stage is set for a high-voltage showdown as Pakistan national field hockey team have been placed in a challenging Pool D alongside arch-rivals India national field hockey team for the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup 2026.

According to the official pool announcement, Pool D also features England national field hockey team and Wales national field hockey team, making it one of the most competitive groups in the tournament.

The Pakistan-India clash is expected to be the headline encounter of the group stage, reigniting one of hockey’s fiercest rivalries on the global stage. Both teams have a rich history in the sport, and their meetings often carry immense pressure and passion.

Meanwhile, defending and top-ranked sides are spread across other pools. Pool A includes Netherlands men’s national field hockey team, Argentina men’s national field hockey team, New Zealand men’s national field hockey team, and Japan men’s national field hockey team. Pool B features strong European contenders like Belgium men’s national field hockey team and Germany men’s national field hockey team alongside France men’s national field hockey team and Malaysia men’s national field hockey team.

In Pool C, heavyweights Australia men’s national field hockey team and Spain men’s national field hockey team are joined by Ireland men’s national field hockey team and South Africa men’s national field hockey team.

With the tournament set to be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, anticipation is already building for what promises to be a thrilling edition of the World Cup. For Pakistan, the focus will be on navigating a tough group and making a strong statement against traditional rivals India in what could define their campaign.