India placed in Pool D for Hockey World Cup 2026; full schedule and broadcast details
India's men's and women's hockey teams have been drawn into Pool D at the Hockey World Cup 2026, with their opening matches scheduled between August 15 and August 20.
Both Indian sides enter the tournament seeking to break long-standing semi-final jinxes: the men's team, winners of the 1975 World Cup, have not reached the semi-finals since that victory, while the women's side finished fourth in the inaugural 1974 Women's World Cup and have failed to move beyond that stage since; both squads have stated ambitions of competing for gold.
The Indian men's team will compete in Group D alongside Pakistan, Wales and England. The women's team has been drawn in Pool D with South Africa, China and England.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has removed quarterfinals for this edition and introduced a phased second stage. The top two teams from each initial group will progress into pools E and F, while the bottom two will advance into pools G and H. In Phase 2 each team will play three additional matches against opponents they did not face in the opening round. When two teams advancing from the same original pool meet again in Phase 2, the result from their initial encounter will be carried forward and will count toward the Phase 2 standings, which will determine semi-finalists and other ranking matches.
India's announced men's squad lists goalkeepers Mohith HS and Suraj Karkera. Defenders named are Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (c), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit and Yashdeep Siwach. Midfield selections are Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma and Vivek Sagar Prasad, while the forwards include Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh and Abhishek.
India's women's squad includes goalkeepers Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam. Defenders named are Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti and Shilpi Dabas. Midfielders listed are Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (c), Neha and Deepika Soreng, with forwards Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur and Beauty Dungdung.
India's men's Pool D fixtures are: August 15 — India vs Wales (4:30 PM IST); August 17 — India vs England (6:30 PM IST); August 19 — India vs Pakistan (6:30 PM IST). The women's Pool D fixtures are: August 16 — China vs India (4:30 PM IST); August 18 — India vs South Africa (6:30 PM IST); August 20 — India vs England (6:30 PM IST). All listed kickoff times are Indian Standard Time (IST).
Phase 2 of the tournament is scheduled from August 21 to August 25, with Phase 3 taking place on August 27 and 28; the women's medal matches will be held on August 29 and the men's medal matches on August 30. Broadcast coverage of the Hockey World Cup will be available live on Star Sports, with livestreaming provided on the JioHotstar app.
