Hockey World Cup 2026 Live Streaming: The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 begins on 15 August with joint hosting by Belgium and the Netherlands for both the men’s and women’s competitions through to 30 August. In all, 32 teams from both competitions participate with 16 teams in each. The men’s team from France belongs to Pool B with Belgium, Germany and Malaysia.
Hockey World Cup 2026 Live
The 2026 World Cup is the 16th edition of the World Cup for men and will see both genders play in the same arena. France will play in this competition because of its victory in the Santiago qualifying tournament against three European and Asian teams.
Hockey World Cup 2026 Live Streaming in France
For fans in France, it would be easiest for them to stream through Watch.Hockey. This is because the FIH has announced that all World Cup games will be broadcast through this platform however, they must first ensure that the game is accessible in their location.
Hockey World Cup 2026: Date & Time in France
The tournament will take place from Saturday, 15 August until Sunday, 30 August 2026. France is on the same time zone as Belgium and the Netherlands during the competition, which means that Wavre and Amstelveen have the same schedule for French spectators.
Hockey World Cup 2026: How To Watch Live on TV in France?
- Check the sports channel broadcasting in France for World Cup broadcasts.
- See the programming of the broadcaster on the match day.
- If there is no broadcast of the France team match on TV, use the streaming service by the FIH.
- Verify the broadcasting rights before buying a sports package.
Hockey World Cup 2026: How To Watch Live on OTT in France?
- Watch.Hockey is the FIH’s official streaming platform for the tournament.
- The FIH has confirmed that all World Cup matches will be available through Watch.Hockey.
- A World Cup Pass may be required for live access.
- Check whether a French broadcaster has separately acquired selected rights.
Hockey World Cup 2026: How To Watch Live on Smart TV in France?
- Open the Watch.Hockey application or supported browser on your Smart TV.
- Log in to your account.
- Purchase or activate the relevant World Cup access if required.
- Select the live match from the tournament schedule.
- Alternatively, stream on a phone or laptop and cast to a compatible television.
Hockey World Cup 2026: How To Watch Live on YouTube in France?
- Viewers can find highlights, preview videos and other tournament videos on the official FIH Hockey YouTube channel.
- Viewers should not make the assumption that all the matches will be televised free of charge on YouTube.
- Fans can watch live streams at Watch.Hockey as recommended by FIH.
- French viewers can view any possible live broadcasts of the tournament from official FIH announcements.
Hockey World Cup 2026: How To Watch Live on Mobile Apps in France?
- Watch.Hockey: FIH’s official streaming platform is the main mobile option for French viewers with World Cup matches available subject to territorial rights.
- World Cup Pass: Fans can use the dedicated 2026 World Cup Pass to access live matches where available.
- Live Scores: The FIH’s Hockey Scores Live app provides live scores, fixtures, standings and player statistics.
- France Schedule: France play Belgium on 15 August, Malaysia on 17 August and Germany on 19 August.
- Tournament Stats: The 2026 World Cup features 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams and runs from 15-30 August.
- Mobile Tip: Use Wi-Fi for smoother streaming and check the app before each match for France-specific availability.
Hockey World Cup 2026: What Time Will Matches Start in France?
- 15 August: Belgium vs France, 9:00 PM CEST.
- 17 August: France vs Malaysia, 2:00 PM CEST.
- 19 August: France vs Germany, 5:00 PM CEST.
- France therefore has one evening, one afternoon and one late-afternoon pool match.
Hockey World Cup 2026 New Format
In the 2026 tournament, there will be a new group stage two and there are 16 teams divided into four groups of four teams each. Pool E is made up of the first two teams in pools A and D while Pool F consists of the top two teams in pools B and C. The teams play two more games where the results against the team in the previous pool also count towards the total.
Hockey World Cup 2026 Teams
Men:
- Pool A: Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, Japan
- Pool B: Belgium, Germany, France, Malaysia
- Pool C: Australia, Spain, Ireland, South Africa
- Pool D: England, India, Pakistan, Wales
Women:
- Pool A: Netherlands, Australia, Chile, Japan
- Pool B: Argentina, Germany, USA, Scotland
- Pool C: Belgium, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland
- Pool D: China, England, India, South Africa.
Hockey World Cup 2026 Venue
The tournament has been divided into two stadiums used for playing hockey and the first is Wagener Stadium located in Amsterdam, Netherlands, which has temporarily been upgraded to have a seating capacity of over 10,000 people. In Belgium, there is an entirely new stadium called Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, which can hold 4,000 people.
Hockey World Cup 2026: France Men’s Schedule
- 15 August: Belgium vs France, 9:00 PM CEST, Wavre.
- 17 August: France vs Malaysia, 2:00 PM CEST, Wavre.
- 19 August: France vs Germany, 5:00 PM CEST, Wavre.
France face a difficult Pool B campaign, with Germany and Belgium both bringing championship pedigree. The opening match against hosts Belgium is particularly important for France’s hopes of progressing.
Hockey World Cup 2026: India’s Men’s Schedule
- 15 August: India vs Wales, 12:00 PM CEST, Amstelveen.
- 17 August: India vs England, 2:00 PM CEST, Amstelveen.
- 19 August: Pakistan vs India, 2:00 PM CEST, Amstelveen.
For French viewers following Indian hockey, the Pakistan fixture is likely to attract significant attention because of the long-standing rivalry between the two sides.
Hockey World Cup 2026: India’s Women’s Schedule
- 16 August: China vs India, 12:00 PM CEST, Amstelveen.
- 18 August: South Africa vs India, time subject to the official match schedule.
- 20 August: India vs England, 2:00 PM CEST, Amstelveen.
India’s women are in Pool D with China, England and South Africa, with all four teams based in the Netherlands for the opening phase.
France Hockey World Cup 2026: What Makes Pool B Interesting?
France are now in a tough group consisting of four teams as Belgium will be hosting the tournament, Germany comes into the tournament as holders of the men’s world title, and Malaysia is also another tough opponent. France qualified for the tournament after winning against Poland and Wales in Santiago but lost to Ireland in the final.
How to Watch Hockey World Cup 2026 Live in France For Free
There are no assurances that all World Cup matches will be available free of cost in France as per information from the FIH, Watch.Hockey has been identified as the site for live streaming of all World Cup matches. However, access may still be conditional on the rights and pass required for watching the match. Hence, viewers are advised to refer to the official viewing information on the FIH website first.
Who Are the Recent FIH Hockey World Cup Champions?
Men:
- 2023: Germany
- 2018: Belgium
- 2014: Australia
- 2010: Australia
- 2006: Germany
Women:
- 2022: Netherlands
- 2018: Netherlands
- 2014: Netherlands
- 2010: Argentina
- 2006: Netherlands
Germany enter 2026 as three-time men’s champions, while the Netherlands are the women’s record holders with nine World Cup titles.
Hockey World Cup 2026 – Tournament Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Tournament | FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 |
| Dates | 15-30 August 2026 |
| Host countries | Belgium & Netherlands |
| Men’s teams | 16 |
| Women’s teams | 16 |
| Total teams | 32 |
| Men’s France pool | Belgium, Germany, France, Malaysia |
| France men’s venue | Belfius Hockey Arena, Wavre |
| Other main venue | Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen |
| Defending men’s champions | Germany |
| Defending women’s champions | Netherlands |
| France’s opening match | Belgium vs France |
| France opening-match time | 9:00 PM CEST |
For French hockey supporters, the most important dates are 15, 17 and 19 August, when France play their three Pool B matches. With every World Cup match scheduled for official streaming through Watch.Hockey, fans in France have a straightforward digital route to follow the tournament.
Disclaimer: Broadcast rights may vary in France and can change during the tournament. Check FIH and authorised broadcaster listings for the latest viewing details.
