India vs Netherlands head-to-head: What is the H2H record between India and Netherlands in FIH Men's Hockey World Cup?
India are yet to win a match against the Dutch in World Cups
The Indian men’s hockey team have secured their spot in the second round of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, and now what awaits the team is a clash with an opposition that has historically given them nightmares at this event.
The Harmanpreet Singh-led side finished second in Pool D after a 3-1 win over Wales, a 2-4 defeat to England, and a gritty 5-3 win over Pakistan at Wagener Stadium.
That result puts them into Pool E for the second round, alongside England and the top two from Pool A, Netherlands and Argentina.
The Netherlands, on the other hand, cruised through the group stage with a perfect record, beating New Zealand, Argentina and Japan to claim the top spot.
India will carry zero points into the group after their loss to England, while Netherlands and England start with three each from their pool-stage draw against one another.
It sets up a brutal run for India, who are set to meet Netherlands on August 22, then Argentina on August 24, with only the top two from Pool E advancing to the semi-finals.
Related: FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026: India’s semi-final hopes suffer blow after defeat to Netherlands
FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS! 🇮🇳🔥The Indian Men’s Team is set for crucial battles against the Netherlands and Argentina in Pool E as they continue their push for a place in the semifinals at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026. 🏑🏆#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #HWC2026 pic.twitter.com/6IkM7coDLx
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 21, 2026
Head-to-head record between India and Netherlands in FIH Men’s Hockey World Cups
India and the Netherlands have faced each other seven times in the history of the Men’s Hockey World Cup and the Dutch have dominated the rivalry, winning six of those encounters, while one match ended level after regulation and extra time.
India are yet to record a victory over the Dutch at the World Cup.
The seven meetings have produced 40 goals in total, with the Netherlands scoring 28 and India scoring 12.
The first meeting between the two sides came in the World Cup final in Amstelveen 1973. The match finished 2-2 after extra time before the Netherlands prevailed 4-2 on penalty strokes to win their maiden World Cup title.
The most recent World Cup meeting came in 2018 on Indian soil in Bhubaneswar, where the Dutch knocked India out in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win that ended the hosts’ campaign in heartbreaking fashion.
India have therefore never beaten the Netherlands in a Men’s Hockey World Cup, despite producing some closely fought contests over the years.
Given that record, Friday’s clash isn’t just about qualification. It is a chance for Team India to break one of their longest losing streaks in the sport’s history, against the tournament favorites and the home team.
Full India vs Netherlands head-to-head record in Men’s Hockey World Cup
1973: Netherlands 2-2 India — [Netherlands won 4-2 on penalty strokes]
1982: Netherlands 4-3 India
1990: Netherlands 5-3 India
1994: Netherlands 4-2 India
1998: Netherlands 5-0 India
2006: Netherlands 6-1 India
2018: India 1-2 Netherlands
What is the head-to-head record between India and Netherlands in Men’s Hockey World Cup?
India and Netherlands have clashed on seven occasions in the tournament history, with the Dutch winning six and another ending in a draw in regulation time. India are still winless.
How many matches have India and Netherlands played in Men’s Hockey World Cup?
India and Netherlands have met seven times in the Men’s Hockey World Cup.
When did India and Netherlands first meet at Men’s Hockey World Cup?
The first meeting between both teams came in the 1973 edition, where they clashed in the title match. The game ended in a 2-2 draw in regulation time before the Dutch won the eventual penalty shootout 4-2 to lift their maiden title.
What happened in the last India vs Netherlands match at Men’s Hockey World Cup?
The most recent Hockey World Cup meeting between India and Netherlands was in the 2018 edition, which saw a 2-1 win for the Dutch.
What is India’s biggest defeat against Netherlands in Men’s Hockey World Cup history?
India’s biggest defeat against the Dutch in Hockey World Cups was the 0-5 drubbing in the 1998 edition. They also lost 1-6 in 2006.
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Haritmaa Sharma is an aspiring sports journalist with hands-on experience in investigative reporting, digital content creation, and event coverage. Passionate about telling stories that go beyond the scoreboard—especially in cricket, racket sports, grassroots football, and emerging sports narratives.