Hockey World Cup 2026 Live Online: The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 begins on August 15, bringing the world’s top men’s and women’s hockey teams to Belgium and the Netherlands. Indian fans can follow the tournament through JioHotstar, while television coverage is available on the Star Sports network and DD Sports.Â
The 2026 edition introduces a new competition format and features 16 teams in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. India will compete in both events, making the World Cup a major attraction for Indian hockey fans.Â
Hockey World Cup 2026
The Hockey World Cup 2026 will take place from August 15 to August 30, 2026, in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The tournament features separate men’s and women’s competitions, with 16 teams participating in each event. The organisers have introduced a new format for the 2026 edition, giving the tournament a different structure from previous World Cups.
India will feature in both competitions and will be among the teams looking to progress through the opening stages and reach the knockout rounds.
Hockey World Cup 2026 Live Online in India
Indian viewers can watch the Hockey World Cup 2026 live online on JioHotstar. The streaming platform will carry live coverage of the tournament, allowing fans to watch matches on smartphones, tablets, computers and compatible smart TVs.
Hockey World Cup 2026 online streaming options in India:
- Platform: JioHotstar
- Availability: Live tournament coverage
- Devices: Smartphones, tablets, computers and smart TVs
- Subscription: Paid access may be required depending on the user’s existing JioHotstar plan
- Commentary: English and Hindi options are available for the relevant broadcasts
Fans should check the JioHotstar match page before each fixture for the latest streaming information and available audio options.
Hockey World Cup 2026 Live Streaming in Different Languages in India
Indian viewers can follow the Hockey World Cup 2026 with English and Hindi commentary.
English Commentary
English is available across the primary international broadcast coverage and digital streaming feeds. It is the main language for the tournament’s international commentary.
Hindi Commentary
Hindi commentary is available for Indian viewers through select Star Sports television feeds and digital coverage, particularly for major matches involving Team India.
Are Tamil, Telugu or Bengali Commentary Available?
There is no official confirmation of dedicated Tamil, Telugu or Bengali commentary feeds for the Hockey World Cup 2026.
Therefore, viewers should not assume that all regional-language options available for other JioStar sports tournaments will also be offered for this hockey competition.
Hockey World Cup 2026 Language Options in India
- English: Yes
- Hindi: Yes
- Tamil: Not officially confirmed
- Telugu: Not officially confirmed
- Bengali: Not officially confirmed
The exact audio options can vary by match and platform, so viewers should check the JioHotstar audio menu before the start of a fixture.
Hockey World Cup 2026: How to Watch Free in India?
Indian viewers have a free-to-air television option through DD Sports, which is available via DD Free Dish. The tournament will also be available on the Star Sports network, while JioHotstar provides the online streaming option.
However, viewers should distinguish between free television coverage and free online streaming. JioHotstar access may require a paid subscription depending on the user’s plan.
Free viewing options in India:
- DD Sports: Free-to-air TV option through DD Free Dish
- JioHotstar: Online streaming, with subscription requirements depending on the plan
- Star Sports: TV coverage through paid television packages
Fans should avoid unofficial streaming websites offering free live matches, as these feeds may be unreliable and can raise copyright and security concerns.
Hockey World Cup 2026 New Format
The 2026 edition introduces a new competition format that changes how teams progress through the tournament.
The opening phase will be followed by another league stage before the knockout rounds. This structure means teams will need to perform consistently across the early stages rather than relying on a single strong result.
The new system also increases the importance of points collected during the opening stage, as teams carry their results into the next phase. For India and other title contenders, the format makes every early match important because a poor start could make qualification for the knockout stages more difficult.
Hockey World Cup 2026 Teams
The men’s and women’s competitions will each feature 16 teams, bringing together the leading hockey nations from around the world.
Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026
The men’s field includes major hockey nations such as:
- India
- Pakistan
- Australia
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Germany
- England
- Argentina
- Spain
- New Zealand
- Wales
The remaining teams complete the 16-team field.
Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026
The women’s tournament also features 16 teams, including India and several of the world’s leading women’s hockey sides. The competition will bring together teams from Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas.
Hockey World Cup 2026 Venue
Belgium and the Netherlands will jointly host the 2026 Hockey World Cup. The tournament will use two main venues:
- Wagener Stadium – Amstelveen, Netherlands
- Belfius Hockey Arena – Wavre, Belgium
The Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen will host a significant portion of the competition, while Wavre will stage matches in Belgium. India’s teams will play matches at the Dutch venue during their respective campaigns.
Hockey World Cup 2026 India’s Men Schedule
India’s men’s team begins its World Cup campaign on August 15, 2026, against Wales. India has been placed in Pool D, alongside Pakistan and Wales.
One of the biggest attractions of India’s group-stage campaign will be the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash. India will be aiming to challenge for the title and add another World Cup trophy to its history. The Indian men’s team won its only Hockey World Cup title in 1975.
Hockey World Cup 2026 India’s Women Schedule
India’s women’s team will also compete in the 2026 Hockey World Cup. The women’s tournament begins alongside the men’s competition, with matches taking place in Belgium and the Netherlands.
India will face strong opposition during the opening phase and will need to perform consistently under the new competition structure to progress to the later stages.
The women’s World Cup will conclude on August 29, one day before the men’s tournament finishes.
Hockey World Cup 2026: What to Expect?
The 2026 World Cup promises two weeks of international hockey featuring 32 teams across the men’s and women’s competitions.
For Indian fans, the biggest focus will remain on the men’s and women’s national teams. The India-Pakistan rivalry will provide another major attraction, while the new tournament format could create a more competitive battle for knockout-stage qualification.
Key things to watch:
- India’s men’s campaign and its bid for another World Cup title
- India’s women’s campaign against the world’s leading teams
- India vs Pakistan in the men’s competition
- The impact of the new World Cup format
- Live coverage through JioHotstar
- TV coverage through Star Sports and DD Sports
- English and Hindi commentary options
- The two host venues in Amstelveen and Wavre
