The record four-time world champions Pakistan, who will make their long-awaited return to the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, have been drawn alongside arch-rivals and the 1975 edition champions India, England and Wales in a heavyweight Pool D for the 2026 tournament to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

The Green-shirts, who missed the previous edition after they failed to qualify, face an immediate test of their resurgence in a group that combines history, rivalry and elite European opposition. Pool D matches will be staged in the Netherlands, one of the two co-hosts of the tournament.

Pakistan’s clash with India is expected to headline the group stage, rekindling one of hockey’s most storied rivalries while the 1986 edition’s runners-up England’s consistency at major tournaments presents another formidable hurdle. Wales complete the group as potential spoilers in a pool widely seen as one of the most competitive in the draw.

The official draw ceremony was held at Amsterdam’s Wagener Stadium, an iconic venue that will host part of the tournament, alongside the newly-constructed Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium.

Last edition’s runners-up Belgium will begin their journey on home soil in Pool B where they have been grouped with defending champions Germany, France and Malaysia. Belgium, who lifted their maiden world crown in 2018 in India, are among the favourites again, bolstered by home support.

Hosts and three-time world champions Netherlands headline Pool A and will take on Argentina, New Zealand and Japan, while Pool C features three-time world champions Australia, Spain, Ireland and South Africa, with fixtures in Belgium.

The draw was conducted by former international players Naomie van As, Barbara Neelen and Teun de Nooijer, with Dutch DJ La Fuente also participating after being named a World Cup ambassador.

The ceremony was attended by leading figures from global hockey, including FIH President Tayyab Ikram, who emphasised the broader significance of the event.

“Today’s draw marks another major milestone on the road to the most prestigious FIH event, the FIH Hockey World Cup,” Ikram said. “In today’s fractured world, sport - and events such as this in particular - can play a substantial role in bringing people together.”

Also present were senior officials from the international federation and national associations, team captains from both the host nations, head coaches, local authorities and commercial partners.

Co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, both established hockey powerhouses, the 2026 edition is expected to attract global attention, with top teams competing across two venues in less than six months’ time.

For Pakistan, the tournament represents more than just a return - it is an opportunity to restore past glory in a competition they once dominated. However, their path out of Pool D will require overcoming two of the world’s strongest teams and navigating one of the toughest groups in the competition.

With defending champions Germany aiming to retain their crown and traditional giants like the Netherlands, Australia and Belgium also in contention, the stage is set for a fiercely contested World Cup.

The FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 will be held in Amsterdam and Wavre from August 15-30, 2026.

Pakistan will need a solid preparation for the vital assignment where it will need to salvage some prestige. The nation has been facing big issues in its hockey growth over the years and the recent qualification for the World Cup has instilled a new hope that the nation will seek at least to show some grace at the biggest stage. Although it is not easy to deliver at the biggest stage if we see Pakistan’s recent journey in the FIH Pro League. The same journey is still continued as the Green-shirts will play eight games, four each in Belgium and London in June against their rivals Belgium, Spain, England and India.

As both India and England are in Pakistan’s group in the World Cup a couple of matches against them ahead of the global event will help Pakistan to shape its preparation accordingly.

With the World Cup just around the corner its high time for Pakistan to make a solid plan and execute it smartly so that respectable results in the World Cup could be achieved.

As the IPC Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani is serving as an interim president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) funds should not be issue for the brigade. The players also need huge financial facilities so they could solely focus on their duty and give their 200 percent.

It would be a good move if Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) hires the services of a foreign coach to ensure quality preparation for the World Cup.

According to sources Australian coach Colin Batch has been approached and if the deal is done it will be a huge breakthrough ahead of the World Cup.

If hired Bach will replace interim coach Khawaja Junaid, who helped Pakistan qualify for the World Cup. Khawaja had been appointed head coach after ad hoc set-up under the IPC secretary took charge of the PHF.

Bach has been experienced campaigner, having represented Australia in 175 international matches and scoring 100 goals during his playing career. He has also held coaching positions with Belgium, New Zealand and Australia, making him one of the most seasoned figures in modern hockey coaching.

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