Hockey World Cup 2026 set to kick off in 500 days

ISLAMABAD: In exactly 500 days, the very first match of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup will open the show for FIH’s most prestigious global hockey event! This edition, that will combine the Women’s and the Men’s World Cups, will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

In addition to the host countries, the teams of Germany (women) and Australia (men) won their ticket to the World Cup via the FIH Hockey Pro League last season. It is also thanks to the Pro League that the next two teams will qualify (a women’s team and a men’s team).

The five Continental Championships – which will take place between July and September – will enable 5 other teams per gender to qualify.

The remaining 7 participating teams – from 16 in total per gender - will come from the World Cup Qualifiers which will take place next year, currently scheduled from 28 February to 8 March 2026. The draw to determine the 4 pools per gender for the group stage of the World Cup will happen shortly after these Qualifiers.

FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “The FIH Hockey World Cup is the most prestigious of our events. This is where legends are made. A fantastic window for our top athletes to showcase their amazing skills, for the greatest delight of all hockey fans around the world. We look forward to a fantastic edition in Belgium and the Netherlands, two of the greatest hockey powerhouses, that will involve the world’s most talented female and male hockey players!

On this symbolic day, the World Cup becomes more real than ever. With further teams qualifying soon, it really is taking shape, and I already invite all hockey fans to pencil the tournament dates in their agendas and plan a trip to Belgium and the Netherlands in 500 days!”