Key Highlights
- Belgium and the Netherlands will jointly host the men’s and women’s World Cups, a first for FIH.
- The tournament runs from 15 to 30 August 2026 with 16 teams per gender.
- A new dual‑group progression format keeps the group stage competitive and fair.
- For the first time, the ParaHockey World Cup will run alongside the main event.
Detailed Insights
The 2026 edition introduces several structural innovations. Two premier venues—Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre and Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam—will accommodate the matches, with the men’s final in Wavre and the women’s final in Amsterdam. The competition begins with 16 national teams divided into four groups. The top two teams from each group advance to a second group phase, carrying over results against teams they have already faced. After this phase, semi‑finalists are determined and remaining teams play classification matches in alternate groups to establish final rankings. Qualification for the event is largely secured, with host countries and other high‑ranking teams already placed; the rest will qualify through continental championships and early‑2026 playoffs. The official draw in March 2026 will set group allocations and host city assignments.
Inclusivity is at the heart of the tournament’s vision: the ParaHockey World Cup, focused on athletes with intellectual disabilities, will share the same venues and dates as the main competition, signalling a bold commitment to diversity and equal opportunity in international hockey.
Key Concepts
- Dual‑Host Format: Joint hosting by two nations, allowing shared responsibilities and diverse fan engagement.
- Dual‑Group Progression: A two‑phase group stage where results from the first phase carry into the second, ensuring fairer advancement.
- ParaHockey World Cup: A Paralympic‑style tournament integrated into the FIH World Cup to promote inclusivity.