As we count down to the highly anticipated FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026, we take a closer look at the competing men's and women's teams ready to battle for global supremacy. In this special preview series, we profile each nation's journey to the tournament, examining their road to qualification, historic achievements, key players to watch, and the tactical minds leading them into the ultimate hockey showcase. In today’s story we take a look at Belgium men’s team, ranked #1 in the world.
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Following a fine second-place finish in the 2024-25 FIH Hockey Pro League, Belgium went one better in 2025-26, storming to the title and building significant momentum ahead of their eighth FIH Hockey World Cup campaign.
Underlining their status as one of the world's elite teams, the Red Lions won 13 of their 16 matches, beating every opponent at least once in one of the most dominant performances in the men's competition to date. Ageless striker Tom Boon (19 goals) and drag-flicking defender Alexander Hendrickx (15) – both Olympic gold medallists from Tokyo 2020 – combined for an astonishing 34 goals, while rising star Thomas Crols added five and produced a series of eye-catching attacking displays.
Belgium's success, however, is built on far more than goals alone. The Red Lions boast world-class quality throughout the pitch, with Hendrickx continuing to pose a constant threat from penalty corners and midfield heartbeat Victor Wegnez setting the tempo with his relentless energy and composure. Behind them, legendary goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch, a three-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year, provides reassurance in the biggest moments, while captain Arthur Van Doren – twice crowned FIH Player of the Year – anchors one of the world's most disciplined and intelligent defences.
If competition co-hosts Belgium reproduce the standards they set in last season's FIH Hockey Pro League, they will be among the leading contenders to claim a second FIH Hockey World Cup title, adding to the crown they won so memorably at Bhubaneswar 2018.
Nickname: Red Lions
How they qualified: Host nation
Notable honours: FIH Men’s World Cup winners (2018), Olympic gold medallists (2021), Olympic silver medallists (2016), FIH Men’s World Cup silver medallists (2023), Olympic bronze medallists (1920), 2x FIH Hockey Pro League champions (2020-21, 2025-26), 3x FIH Hockey Pro League silver medallists (2019, 2021-22, 2024-25), Hockey World League silver medallists (2015), European champions (2019), 2x European silver medallists (2013, 2017), 3x European bronze medallists (2007, 2021, 2023)
Rank in previous WC editions: 1973 – 8th, 1978 – 14th, 1994 – 11th, 2002 – 14th, 2014 – 5th, 2018 – 1st, 2023 – 2nd
Head coach: Shane McLeod. Having overseen the most successful era in Belgian hockey history, the New Zealander needs little introduction. Between 2018 and 2021, his side won the FIH Hockey World Cup (2018), EuroHockey Championship (2019), FIH Hockey Pro League (2020-21) and Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020. After spending three years as assistant coach, McLeod returned to the top job following Paris 2024 and has quickly guided a refreshed squad to consecutive FIH Hockey Pro League podium finishes, taking silver in 2024-25 before lifting the title in 2025-26.
Quote: Head Coach Shane McLeod: "As a group we have enjoyed the success of the Hockey Pro League but know that for the World Cup we must focus on a new challenge. Having this challenge in our home country is a motivating factor. We will ensure that we display all of the qualities that the supporters expect from this Red Lions group."
One to watch: Tom Boon. At 36, the Belgium striker and 2025 FIH Men's Player of the Year is enjoying arguably the finest form of his career. At the time of writing, Boon had scored 342 goals in 391 international appearances. Across the past two editions of the FIH Hockey Pro League, he amassed an extraordinary 40 goals, adding five more at the 2025 EuroHockey Championship. In the 2025-26 Pro League alone, he scored 19 goals in 13 appearances and collected five Player of the Match awards.
FIH team / stats page: click here.
Royal Belgian Hockey Federation website: www.hockey.be
X: @BELRedLions Facebook: RedLions Instagram: BELRedLions
The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 begins on 15 August, with both men’s and women’s teams in action on opening day across the Netherlands and Belgium. For more information on the competition including the competition format, pools and the complete match schedule, click here.
