FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026: Updated Pool D standings after India vs Pakistan match
(Courtesy :Ā Hockey India)
India find themselves in a tricky position despite qualifying for the second round
Indian menās hockey team has made it through to the second round of the FIH Menās Hockey World Cup 2026, but the manner of the qualification leaves plenty to think about.
In their Pool D opener, India beat Wales 3-1, before running into a much-improved England side and going down 2-4.
They bounced back in style though, edging out arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in a thriller at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, with Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek both scoring twice.
That result meant England topped the pool with a perfect nine points (having also thumped Wales 8-2), while India finished second with six points from three matches. Pakistan, who drew 3-3 with Wales, ended with just one point.
India will be in Pool E in the second round, joining England, Netherlands and the team that finishes second in Pool A.
Netherlandsāwho currently lead Pool Aāhave already confirmed their place in the second round after winning their opening two matches in the pool stage.
As things stand, Argentina are second in the group and could be the one remaining team in Pool E. They are currently placed second in Pool A, only ahead of New Zealand by goal difference. Both teams have three points each from two matches.
They will clash in the last Pool A encounter on Thursday in a virtual knockout tie to determine who joins England, Netherlands and India in Pool E of the second round.
However, while both England and Netherlands will carry three points each from the pool stage into the second round, India will not carry any.
It is so, since India lost their match against England in the pool phase.
Meanwhile, at the end of the second round, only the top two from each pool will go through to the semi-finals.
And with England already ahead on points, India will need results against two genuinely tough sides.
Netherlands, the co-hosts, have been ruthless so far, and with home support and a settled core through midfield, theyāre one of the favourites for the title itself.
Argentina arenāt far behind either, comprising of a side built purely on pace and sharp counter-attacking hockey, and one that has given India problems in recent years, including a recent 8-0 hammering in the Menās FIH Pro League.
Updated Pool D standings after India vs Pakistan match
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| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England (Q) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 5 | +11 | 9 |
| 2 | India (Q) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 8 | +2 | 6 |
| 3 | Pakistan | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | -5 | 1 |
| 4 | Wales | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 14 | -8 | 1 |
Where did India finish in Pool D at FIH Menās Hockey World Cup 2026?
The Indian menās hockey team finished second in Pool D, with six points from three matches.
Which teams advanced to the next round from Pool D at FIH Menās Hockey World Cup 2026?
As the top two finishers, England and India advanced to the next round, keeping their semi-final hopes alive. Meanwhile, Pakistan and Wales will play for positional places in classification rounds.
Who will India face in the second round of FIH Menās Hockey World Cup 2026?
India are in Pool E alongside England, Netherlands and another team will also join from Pool A. However, India will only play Netherlands and the other yet-to-join team in the second round. Their result against EnglandāIndia lostāfrom the opening round will count.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovicās resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.