The most coveted title in hockey, second only to the Olympics. Every four years, the FIH Hockey World Cup brings together the world’s top teams to compete in one of the toughest, most skillful, and thrilling showcases of international hockey. It’s where legends are born, and the finest players on the planet battle to be crowned the very best.

A total of 16 teams per gender earn their place at the FIH Hockey World Cup through the Hockey World Cup Qualification Tournaments, securing their chance to compete on the sport’s biggest stage.

2026 FIH Hockey World Cup

This unique edition will see both the Men’s and Women’s World Cups played side by side, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

Teams Qualified So Far

• Hosts: Belgium (Men & Women), Netherlands (Men & Women)
• Pro League Qualifiers:


• - Germany Women (2023–24 Pro League)
• - Australia Men (2023–24 Pro League)
• - One additional team per gender will also qualify through the 2024–25 Pro League

Continental Championships (July–September 2025)

The 5 Continental Championships will determine 5 more qualifiers per gender:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• Oceania
• Pan America

Each continental champion secures an automatic spot at the World Cup.

World Cup Qualifiers (Feb–Mar 2026)

The final 7 spots per gender will be decided through the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled for:

28 February – 8 March 2026

These tournaments will determine the remaining teams, bringing the total to 16 teams per gender.

The Draw

Following the completion of the World Cup Qualifiers, the official draw to determine the 4 pools per gender for the group stage will take place — setting the stage for the ultimate hockey showdown.