The two-time champions Australia prepare to lock horns with Japan in the opening match of the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 on Saturday, August 15. The Hockeyroos, under the tactical guidance of head coach Rhett Halkett, enter the tournament as heavy favourites and serious title contenders.
Having claimed the bronze medal in the 2022 edition, the Aussies booked their ticket to Amstelveen by securing a second-place finish at the World Cup Qualifiers in Santiago. Boasting a formidable lineup featuring experienced leaders like Claire Colwill and Kaitlin Nobbs, alongside attacking talents like Neasa Flynn and Grace Stewart, Australia possesses a lethal blend of youth and experience.
On the other side of the turf, Sakura Japan are making their tenth World Cup appearance and their seventh in succession. Coached by Akira Takahashi, they secured their spot in a nail-biting campaign, finishing fourth at the Santiago qualifiers.
Captained by 28-year-old midfielder Amiru Shimada, Japan will rely on their structured defence and the attacking flair of strikers Hiroka Murayama, Shiho Kobayakawa, and Akari Nakagomi to try and pierce the Australian backline. They finished 11th in the 2022 Women’s World Cup.
Australia vs Japan Hockey LIVE Streaming Details:
When Will The Australia vs Japan FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Take Place?
The match will take place at Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen (NED), on
Where to watch Hockey World Cup 2026 In Japan, Australia, England And All Participating Nations?
- Argentina: ESPN, STAR, Watch.Hockey
- Chile: ESPN, STAR, Watch.Hockey
- Australia: 7+, Watch.Hockey
- Belgium: RTL Play, VRT, Watch.Hockey
- China: SMG, Watch.Hockey
- England: Channel 4, Watch.Hockey
- Germany: MagentaSport, Watch.Hockey
- India: Star Sports Select 2, JioHotstar
- Ireland: RTE, Watch.Hockey
- Netherlands: NOS, Watch.Hockey
- Pakistan: Tapmad, PTV Sports, Watch.Hockey
- Spain: TVE, TAP, Watch.Hockey
- Scotland: BBC Alba, Watch.Hockey
- United States: CBS Sports, Watch.Hockey
- Wales: S4C, Watch.Hockey
- France: Watch.Hockey
- Japan: Watch.Hockey
- New Zealand: Watch.Hockey
- South Africa: Watch.Hockey
Where To Watch Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Worldwide?
- Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela: ESPN, STAR, Watch.Hockey
- Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen: OnSport, Watch.Hockey
- Canada: CBS Sports, Watch.Hockey
- Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka: Star Sports Select 2, JioHotstar
- Rest of the World: Watch.Hockey
Australia Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Squad
Head Coach: Rhett Halkett
Goalkeepers: Aleisha Power, Jocelyn Bartram
Defenders / Midfielders / Forwards: Casey Dolkens, Kaitlin Nobbs, Lucy Sharman, Alana Kavanagh, Karri Somerville, Tatum Stewart, Claire Colwill, Morgan Mathison, Amy Lawton, Sarah Byrnes, Greta Hayes, Stephanie Kershaw, Alice Arnott, Makayla Jones, Olivia Downes, Grace Stewart, Neasa Flynn
Japan Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Squad
Head Coach: Akira Takahashi
Goalkeepers: Akio Tanaka, Yu Kudo
Defenders / Midfielders / Forwards: Miyu Suzuki, Ikumi Matsu, Hanami Saito, Nanako Tateiwa, Emi Nishikori, Mayuri Horikawa, Shiho Kobayakawa, Mai Toriyama, Amiru Shimada (Captain), Akari Nakagomi, Hiroka Murayama, Saki Tanaka, Miyu Hasegawa, Mei Matsunami, Ai Hiramatsu, Haruka Kawaguchi, Maiko Mikami, Junon Kawai
