News for 28 August 2026
All the news for Friday 28 August 2026
FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026
Wagener Hockey Stadium (NED) - Belfius Hockey Arena (BEL)
All times GMT +2
Men
25, 26 & 27 Aug 2026 are rest days
28 Aug 2026 09:30 JPN v FRA (13/14) 1 - 3 Wagener Hockey Stadium
28 Aug 2026 11:00 WAL v MAS (15/16) Belfius Hockey Arena
28 Aug 2026 12:30 PAK v RSA (11/12) Wagener Hockey Stadium
28 Aug 2026 14:00 NZL v IRL (9/10) Belfius Hockey Arena
28 Aug 2026 15:00 ENG v AUS (5/6) Wagener Hockey Stadium
28 Aug 2026 17:00 IND v BEL (7/8) Belfius Hockey Arena
28 Aug 2026 18:00 NED v ESP (SF) Wagener Hockey Stadium
28 Aug 2026 20:30 GER v ARG (SF) Belfius Hockey Arena
Final Pool standings
Women
25 & 26 Aug 2026 were rest days
27 Aug 2026 09:30 RSA v IRL (13/14) 0 - 1 Wagener Hockey Stadium
27 Aug 2026 11:00 CHI v NZL (15/16) 2 - 3 Belfius Hockey Arena
27 Aug 2026 12:30 JPN v SCO (11/12) 2 - 1 Wagener Hockey Stadium
27 Aug 2026 14:00 ENG v USA (9/10) 3 - 1 Belfius Hockey Arena
27 Aug 2026 15:00 IND v GER (5/6) 3 - 0 Wagener Hockey Stadium
27 Aug 2026 17:00 CHN v ESP (7/8) 1 - 1 (SO 0 - 1) Belfius Hockey Arena
27 Aug 2026 18:00 NED v BEL (SF) 1 - 0 Wagener Hockey Stadium
27 Aug 2026 20:30 ARG v AUS (SF) 1 - 0 Belfius Hockey Arena
28 August is a rest day
29 Aug 2026 13:00 BEL v AUS (3/4) Wagener Hockey Stadium
29 Aug 2026 16:00 NED v ARG (1/2) Wagener Hockey Stadium
Final Pool standings
FIH Match Centre
Netherlands and Argentina women set for FIH Hockey World Cup final rematch
The Netherlands and Argentina will meet in the FIH Hockey World Cup final on Saturday after both secured hard-fought semi-final victories on Thursday. The clash is a rematch four years in the making after the two sides met in the last World Cup final in 2022, where the Dutch prevailed.
Dutch women beat Belgium to reach hockey World Cup final
Charlotte Englebert from Belgium and Xan de Waard form Netherlands during the semi-final. Photo: Koen van Weel/ANP
The Dutch women’s hockey team have reached their eighth World Cup final in a row, beating Belgium 1-0 in Amstelveen on Thursday, and are now one win from a fourth world title in succession – a feat no country has ever achieved.
Argentina sets up FIH Women’s World Cup final with Netherlands
It will be a repeat of the 2022 World Cup final when the Dutch beat Argentina 3-1 in Spain.
Argentina has been to six previous FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup finals but won two. | Photo Credit: AP
Argentina will meet the Netherlands in Saturday’s Women’s Hockey World Cup final after the South Americans scored late to beat Australia 1-0 in Thursday’s second semifinal.
Hockeyroos’ brave World Cup charge ends in narrow semi-final defeat
The Hockeyroos’ hopes of reaching the World Cup final have come to an end after a courageous performance against Argentina, falling just short 1-0 in a thrilling semi-final battle.
Ireland sign off their World Cup campaign with a win over South Africa
IRELAND 1 – 0 SOUTH AFRICA
Amstelveen, The Netherlands: The Ireland Women’s Hockey Team ended their 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup campaign with a win over South Africa in Amstelveen to finish in 13th place. A first quarter goal proved the difference maker as eventual player of the match Niamh Carey found twin sister Michelle free in the circle to break the deadlock.
Resolute South Africa edged by Ireland in World Cup classification finale
South Africa produced a spirited defensive display but were narrowly defeated 1–0 by Ireland in the 13th-place playoff at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup.
Ireland close disappointing WC campaign with win
Ireland celebrate their goal over South Africa. Image source, Inpho
A first-quarter goal from Michelle Carey was enough for Ireland to end their Hockey World Cup campaign on a high with victory over South Africa in Thursday's 13th/14th place play-off match.
Scotland finish 12th at the FIH World Cup after loss to Japan
Scotland dominated the game but ruthless Japanese finishing was the difference as the Scots lost 2-1 at the Women’s FIH World Cup. The result sees Scotland finish 12th in the tournament to finish off a tournament of high-quality performances.
USWNT Finish 10th at 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup
WAVRE, Belgium – The No. 10 U.S. Women’s National Team concluded their 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup run with a 3-1 loss to No. 7 England, finishing 10th overall. The United Eagles showed resilience throughout the tournament, going 2-2-2 across the competition while continuing to compete against some of the world’s top teams.
Mia Schoenbeck Completes Stint with Team USA at 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup
Schoenbeck’s Penalty Goals Give Advantage to the U.S. in Belgium.
By Kenzie Pittenger
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest women's hockey senior Mia Schoenbeck has wrapped her time with Team USA and will return to Winston-Salem following standout performances at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Wavre, Belgium.
Indian women's team beats world No. 5 Germany 3-1 for best FIH Women's World Cup finish since 1974 
Amstelvee: Indian women’s hockey team signed off from the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 on a high, defeating world No. 5 Germany 3-1 in the 5th-6th place classification match in Amstelveen, Netherlands, on Thursday. The result secured Indian women's team a fifth-place finish, their best at an FIH World Cup since the inaugural women’s edition in 1974, when they finished fourth.
India keeps its best for the last: Beat World No 5 Germany to get its fifth World Cup rank
K. ARUMUGAM
Playing under no pressure, Salima Tete’s India stunned Germany, coached by its former chief coach Jenneke Scopman, for a fluent 3-1 win to get its best world cup finish on synthetic turf era.
India beats Germany to finish fifth at Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026, records best-ever finish in 52 years
At the final hooter, there were no massive cheers from the Indian players. But they will know they can take plenty of positives from these performances as they build towards the Asian Games.
Aashin Prasad
Starting the tournament ranked ninth, Sjoerd Marijne’s India has exceeded expectations in the Netherlands, pulling off draws with China (ranked 4th), England (7th) and Australia (8th) to add to this result. | Photo Credit: Hockey India
Relevance for World Cup classification matches is a matter of perspective.
Wait and pounce: How Marijne’s speedy ‘Indian Tigers’ beat Germany to seal World Cup fifth place
India’s approach worked to perfection as its direct play and speed helped it win 3-1 against world no. 5 ranked side, to seal historic fifth place finish.
Aashin Prasad
India will now head into the Asian Games, starting September 18, aiming to replicate these performances in its bid to win gold. | Photo Credit: Hockey India
Sjoerd Marijne likened India’s counter-attacking display against Germany to tigers waiting patiently to pounce on its prey.
"Chak de India," exclaims coach Sjoerd Marijne after best finish in 52 years at FIH Women's World Cup
India finished fifth at the 2026 FIH Women's World Cup.
Sjoerd Marijne with Indian women's hockey team at 2026 FIH World Cup (Photo credit: Hockey India)
“Chak De India!” beamed Indian women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne on Thursday after the team's creditable fifth-place finish in a memorable World Cup campaign, saying the achievement would give the players a huge confidence boost ahead of the Asian Games in September-October.
India has found new self belief, says Savita Punia
India ended their 2026 FIH Women's World Cup campaign with a solitary loss to reigning champions Netherlands. 
Savita Punia (Photo credit: PTI)
India’s women’s hockey team has found a new belief in itself, veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia said after the side finished fifth at the ongoing World Cup, their best result in more than five decades.
Hockey India president Tirkey, PR Sreejesh hail women's team for 5th place finish in World Cup
New Delhi [India], August 28 (ANI): Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey and two-time Olympic medalist legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh congratulated the Indian women's team upon the conclusion of a solid FIH Women's Hockey World Cup campaign.
Indian men’s team looks to finish FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 on a winning note in 7th-8th place match against Belgium
The Indian men’s team will conclude its campaign in Wavre, Belgium, playing the tournament’s co-hosts for the 7th-8th position, after both the teams missed out on a place in the semi-finals
Wavre, Belgium: India will look to bring the curtain down on their FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign on a positive note when they take on co-hosts Belgium in the 7th-8th position classification match in Wavre on Friday.
Coach Fulton eyes settling "unfinished business" as India play 7th-8th spot match in FIH Men's Hockey WC against Belgium
Wavre [Belgium]: India will look to bring the curtain down on their FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign on a positive note when they take on co-hosts Belgium in the 7th-8th position classification match in Wavre on Friday.
India vs Belgium: What happened the last time the two teams met before Hockey World Cup 2026 clash?
India faces Belgium in the Hockey World Cup 2026 seventh-place playoff. Here’s what happened when the two teams last met in the FIH Pro League in February.
Belgium beat India 4-2 the last time they met in the Hockey Pro League. | Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT
India will look to end its FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign on a positive note when it takes on co-host Belgium in the seventh-eighth place classification match in Wavre on Friday, August 28.
22-9 domination — Here’s India vs Belgium Head-to-Head Record before FIH World Cup classification match
In its last 10 games against Belgium, India has only managed to win twice with both the instances coming in the Pro League.
India is yet to defeat a higher-ranked opponent at this FIH World Cup. | Photo Credit: AP
India men’s hockey team will look to salvage some pride and end its FIH World Cup 2026 with a win over Belgium in their seven-eighth place classification match in Wavre on Friday.
European hockey teams likely to tour Pakistan next year
LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has signaled a major breakthrough for the revival of international hockey in the country, with strong prospects of top European teams touring Pakistan next year.
Former India hockey coach sees Malaysia as a threat
By Aftar Singh
Baskaran (inset) told Timesport that Malaysia, Pakistan and South Korea are the three teams capable of challenging India at the Asiad. NSTP FILE PIC
KUALA LUMPUR: Who can take the men's hockey gold from defending champions India at next month's Asian Games in Japan?
Gagandeep follows in father Aphthar's footsteps for Junior Asia Cup
By Aftar Singh
National junior player Gagandeep Singh intends to follow in his father’s footsteps to feature in Junior Asia Cup in Moqi, China. -- PIC from Gagandeep Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Former national player and coach Sarjit Singh was a big inspiration to Gagandeep Singh in hockey.
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