LAHORE: Pakistan will take on arch-rivals India on Aug 19 in this year’s hockey World Cup, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) anno­unced on Wednesday.

The 2026 World Cup is expected to showcase top-quality hockey, with fans set to witness thrilling and competitive encounters during the event to be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

The game’s international governing body unveiled the schedule of the World Cup, featuring teams from 16 nations, being staged from Aug 15 to 30.

Former four-time World Cup winners Pakistan are placed in pool ‘D’ alongside England, India and Wales.

The Green-shirts, who will be competing in a World Cup after eight years, begin their campaign in the event with a match against England on Aug 15 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

Pakistan in their second pool-stage match face Wales on Aug 17 at the same venue before locking horns with India two days later.

Pakistan secured qualification for the mega event by reaching the final of the qualifier held in Ismailia, Egypt, will be aiming to make a strong impression and progress to the knockout stage. Pakistan suffered a 4-1 loss to England in the Ismailia final.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2026