India’s men’s hockey team ended a disappointing Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign in eighth place after suffering a 3-4 shootout defeat to Belgium on Friday, August 28. The match finished 3-3 after regulation time before Belgium prevailed in the penalty shootout.
Belgian goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch emerged as the difference-maker, making two crucial saves as the Tokyo Olympics gold medallists secured seventh place. For India, Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh missed their shootout attempts, while goalkeeper Mohith was unable to make enough saves to keep India alive.
India’s eighth-place finish capped a campaign in which the team struggled to defeat higher-ranked opposition. Despite showing character to force the Belgium match into a shootout, India’s reluctance to attack consistently proved costly.
BELGIUM DOMINATE EARLY AS INDIA SURVIVE PRESSURE
Belgium began strongly, controlling possession and repeatedly entering India’s circle. Yet India took a surprise lead in the sixth minute when Abhishek’s ball was deflected into the Belgian goal by Alex Hendrickx.
Belgium responded with sustained pressure. Suraj Karkera was forced into an important save from a Hendrickx penalty corner, while Jugraj Singh also made a crucial defensive intervention to deny Thibeau Stockbroekx.
India then suffered another avoidable setback in the 11th minute after being penalised for having 12 players on the field. Captain Harmanpreet Singh received a yellow card, leaving India with 10 players.
Belgium continued to create opportunities but failed to convert them. Tom Boon missed a chance to equalise before the end of the opening quarter.
India returned to full strength in the second quarter, but Belgium continued to dictate the game. Roman Duvekot eventually equalised in the 22nd minute after finding space inside the Indian defence.
Belgium struck again moments later when Hugo Labouchere converted a penalty corner to make it 2-1.
By half-time, Belgium had recorded 21 circle entries, seven penalty corners and 15 shots on goal. Their inability to convert those opportunities, however, kept India within touching distance.
HARMANPREET BRINGS INDIA BACK
India came out with greater intent after half-time and quickly found the equaliser through captain Harmanpreet Singh.
The goal briefly shifted the momentum, but Belgium soon resumed their pressure. India continued to defend deep, while Belgium earned penalty corner after penalty corner.
India survived several dangerous moments, including a disallowed Belgian goal in the 34th minute. The Indian defence managed to frustrate Belgium and keep the match level heading into the final quarter.
India then suffered another setback when Manpreet Singh was forced off after sustaining a cut above his left eye.
Belgium eventually regained the lead when Arthur de Sloover found the net.
With time running out, India pushed forward more aggressively. Harmanpreet was used in a more advanced position as India searched for an equaliser.
India eventually removed their goalkeeper, with Sanjay acting as the flying goalkeeper. The gamble paid off in the final minute when India won a penalty corner and Harmanpreet converted to make it 3-3.
The late equaliser sent the match into a shootout.
INDIA FALL SHORT IN SHOOTOUT
The penalty shootout began with confusion after Harmanpreet did not hear the hooter and had to reset for his attempt. When he eventually took his second chance, Vanasch produced an important save.
Tom Boon then put Belgium ahead after rounding Mohith.
Vanasch again came up big for Belgium, saving Sukhjeet Singh’s attempt.
Mohith responded by denying Foubert, while Shilanand Singh converted for India to bring the shootout level.
Arthur de Sloover restored Belgium’s advantage before Dilpreet Singh equalised for India.
Hendrickx then scored from a penalty stroke after Mohith conceded the opportunity, putting Belgium ahead once again.
Abhishek kept India alive by scoring his attempt and making it 3-3. Belgium had the final attempt, and Duvekot found the net.
India appealed for a back-stick decision, but the officials awarded the goal, confirming Belgium’s 4-3 shootout victory.
DISAPPOINTING WORLD CUP FOR INDIA
The result brought an underwhelming World Cup campaign to an end for India.
The team had been expected to challenge for a place in the semi-finals but failed to defeat any of the higher-ranked sides it faced. The defensive approach that helped India remain competitive in several matches ultimately prevented them from turning opportunities into wins.
Hardik Singh summed up the disappointment after the defeat.
“It’s really disappointing. We should have won some matches where we were leading the score. But I think that’s how hockey is. Whoever got the opportunity and they executed in the match, won,” he said.
India will now turn their attention towards the Asian Games, where they will enter among the favourites.
However, the World Cup campaign leaves plenty for the team to address. India’s men have now gone 55 years without winning the Hockey World Cup, making the eighth-place finish another missed opportunity on the global stage.
