Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Why India’s Hockey Teams Still Have World Cup Matches
India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams cannot win the World Cup now.
However, they still have one match left to play.
The Hockey World Cup gives every team a final position.
This means teams play extra matches even after being knocked out of the championship race.
India’s women finished third in their second-round group.
They will play for fifth or sixth place.
India’s men finished fourth in their second-round group.
They will play for seventh or eighth place.
India’s men’s and women’s teams were knocked out of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
Unlike most tournaments, every team at the Hockey World Cup finishes with an exact overall position.
India’s women will play the fifth-sixth place playoff.
The women’s playoff features teams that finished third in their second-round groups.
India’s men will play the seventh-eighth place playoff after finishing fourth in their second-round group.
- Who
- The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams, including the side led by Harmanpreet Singh.
- What
- Both teams will play one more match in the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup to determine their final rankings.
- When
- During the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
- Where
- At the FIH Hockey World Cup.
- Why
- The tournament format requires teams to play for an exact final position, even after they are knocked out.
- Tournament
- FIH Hockey World Cup 2026
- India women’s playoff
- Fifth-sixth place playoff
- India men’s playoff
- Seventh-eighth place playoff
- Women’s group finish
- Third in the second-round group
- Men’s group finish
- Fourth in the second-round group
- Tournament format
- Teams finish with an exact overall position