The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 begins on 15 August, with the men’s and women’s tournaments being held simultaneously in Belgium and the Netherlands. Indian viewers can watch the tournament live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network, with coverage available from 4:30 PM onwards.
India’s men’s team begins its World Cup campaign against Wales on Saturday, 15 August, while the Indian women’s team plays its opening match against China on Sunday, 16 August.
All 100 matches of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 will stream live on JioHotstar. India’s matches will also be broadcast on Star Sports channels with English and Hindi commentary.
FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Live Telecast and Streaming
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 |
| Start Date | 15 August 2026 |
| Hosts | Belgium and the Netherlands |
| Tournaments | Men’s and Women’s Hockey World Cups |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| TV Channels | Star Sports Network |
| Coverage From | 4:30 PM onwards |
| Total Teams | 32 |
| Men’s Teams | 16 |
| Women’s Teams | 16 |
| Total Matches | 100 |
| Duration | 15 Days |
| India Match Commentary | English and Hindi |
India Men’s Hockey Team Starts Against Wales
The Indian men’s hockey team will begin its FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign against Wales on 15 August.
The tournament gives India another opportunity to end a World Cup title wait stretching back more than five decades. India’s last Men’s Hockey World Cup triumph came in 1975.
The Indian team enters the 2026 tournament following its 2025 Asia Cup victory, adding to expectations surrounding its World Cup campaign.
Co-hosts Belgium and the Netherlands are among the other teams to watch, with both having the advantage of playing on home turf. Australia, Germany and Argentina also bring considerable World Cup experience and are expected to provide strong competition.
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India Women’s Team Faces China on 16 August
The Indian women’s hockey team starts its campaign against China on Sunday, 16 August.
India are yet to win the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup, giving the 2026 squad an opportunity to create history on the global stage.
With both Indian teams participating in their respective tournaments at the same time, hockey fans will be able to follow India’s men’s and women’s World Cup campaigns throughout the 15-day competition.
India Opening Matches – FIH Hockey World Cup 2026
| Date | Match | Tournament |
|---|---|---|
| 15 August 2026 | India vs Wales | Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup |
| 16 August 2026 | India vs China | Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup |
New Format for FIH Hockey World Cup 2026
The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 introduces a new competition format, replacing the familiar quarterfinal stage with a second group stage.
Each team initially plays three matches in its opening pool. The top two teams advance to the second group stage, where they play another two matches.
Importantly, the head-to-head points earned during the first stage are carried forward. As a result, performances from the opening pool remain important during the next phase of the tournament.
The format means that every result, point and potentially every goal can have an impact on qualification for the semifinals.
Watch All 100 Matches Live on JioHotstar
For viewers in India, JioHotstar will live stream all 100 matches across the men’s and women’s FIH Hockey World Cups.
Star Sports Network will provide television coverage, with India’s matches available with English and Hindi commentary.
Alongside the live matches, JioStar has also prepared additional programming around the tournament.
The World Cup Dream focuses on the passion and determination of elite hockey players competing at the tournament, while Anthem in the Jersey explores the pride, sacrifice and determination involved in representing a country and pursuing World Cup success.
Additional programming will explore supporters, international rivalries, national identities and the psychological aspects of hockey, offering viewers stories beyond the matches themselves.
32 Teams and 100 Matches Across 15 Days
The combined FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 features 32 teams, divided equally between the men’s and women’s competitions.
A total of 16 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams will compete across 100 matches during 15 days in Belgium and the Netherlands.
With two World Cups taking place simultaneously and both Indian teams beginning their campaigns during the opening weekend, JioHotstar and Star Sports Network will provide Indian audiences with live coverage of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 from 15 August.
Stay tuned to Indian TV Info for FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 live telecast details, JioHotstar streaming updates, Star Sports schedules and the latest sports broadcasting news.
