FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Stage 2 points table: England and Netherlands unbeaten

England and the Netherlands enter the second-round pools of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 unbeaten, as the tournament moved into its second phase on August 22, 2026. Pool E sees England and the Netherlands start with three points apiece, while Pool F is tightly contested with Australia, Spain and Germany level on points.

India opened their campaign with a 3-1 win over Wales but were beaten 2-4 by England in the pool stage; that England result carries forward into the second round and gives England three points and a +2 goal difference from the outset. The home team and No. 1 ranked Netherlands completed a perfect pool stage, beating New Zealand 5-1, Argentina 3-1 and Japan 4-1, and their win over Argentina is the result being carried into Pool E.

Because India’s loss to England and Argentina’s loss to the Netherlands travel into Pool E, both India and Argentina begin the second phase on zero points and with a goal difference of -2.

Pool F shapes up more closely: Australia carried forward a win and sit on three points with a +1 goal difference and no goals conceded. Spain and Germany are level with Australia on points, each having recorded a win, while Belgium are bottom of the pool without a victory so far.

This position leaves India with a clear but difficult path: their opening defeat to England means they must secure wins in their remaining Pool E games to progress. This task, however, is easier said than done, given India’s poor recent performances against top teams in men’s hockey.

For India to keep their fate in their own hands and book a seat in the second round they must defeat both Argentina and the Netherlands.