The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams have learned their group stage opponents for the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup, with both sides placed in Pool D of their respective categories for the tournament to be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium later this year.The Indian men’s team has been grouped with Pakistan, England and Wales. The draw ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Wagner Stadium in Amsterdam.The Indian women’s team will face China, England and South Africa in their group. This tournament will be played from August 15 to 30.According to the International Hockey Federation, both the Indian teams will play their matches in Holland. The complete match schedule is expected to be released on Wednesday.Reigning men’s champions Germany, who won their third World Cup title in Bhubaneswar in 2023 by defeating Belgium, have been placed in Pool B alongside Belgium, France and Malaysia.“The draw was made by hockey legends Noemi van As, Barbara Neelen and Tevin de Noijer, as well as DJ La Fuente, who was announced as the Dutch ambassador for the World Cup during the ceremony,” the FIH said in a release.Pool:Male:Pool A: Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, Japan (to play in Netherlands)Pool B: Belgium, Germany, France, Malaysia (playing in Belgium)Pool C: Australia, Spain, Ireland, South Africa (to play in Belgium)Pool D: England, India, Pakistan, Wales (to play in the Netherlands)Women:Pool A: Netherlands, Australia, Chile, Japan (to play in Netherlands)Pool B: Argentina, Germany, USA, Scotland (to play in Belgium)Pool C: Belgium, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland (to play in Belgium)Pool D: China, England, India, South Africa (to play in the Netherlands).
