The FIH announced the groups and format of the first Para Hockey World Cup

ByDavid Mitchell
The FIH announced the groups and format of the first Para Hockey World Cup

The International Hockey Federation made official the format and groups for the first Para Hockey World Cup in history, which will take place from August 20 to 24, 2026 in Belgium and the Netherlands. Para Hockey for athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) is a modality that was created 14 years ago. Faithful to its values ​​of diversity and inclusion applied in all its policies and activities, Para Hockey has mixed teams.

The 2026 FIH Para Hockey World Cup will be a 6-on-6 tournament. It will be played at HC Myra, in Amstelveen (Netherlands), and at Louvain-La-Neuve HC, in Belgium. However, The final day will take place in the same venues that will host the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cupnamely the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen and the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre. Just as Argentina says it is present in this competition, Chile and Paraguay are the other two South Americans that will be in the World Cup.

Group A (played in Belgium)

  • Belgium

  • Italy

  • Germany

  • France

  • Pakistan

  • Zambia

  • Paraguay

  • USA

Group B (played in the Netherlands)

  • Netherlands

  • Argentina

  • Spain

  • Bulgaria

  • England

  • India

  • Malaysia

  • Chili

To close, the FIH President Tayyab Ikramspoke about this contest: “With today’s announcement of the participating teams – from around the world – and groups, our first FIH Para Hockey World Cup is really taking shape. This is clearly a very important milestone in our ongoing efforts and determination to promote diversity and inclusion in hockey.”

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.