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 England men’s team, ranked #3 in the world.
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With five successive top five finishes since the 2006 competition in Mönchengladbach (GER), England’s recent record alone ensures they are a team to be feared in the FIH Hockey World Cup. This year, however, that feeling will be magnified by their superb form leading into the global showpiece.
England were virtually untouchable at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Ismailia (EGY), winning all their matches by a minimum three goal margin. The standard was set by dominant displays against Japan (5-0) and hosts Egypt (3-0) before a forfeited match with the USA (5-0) sealed top spot in their pool. A thumping 7-1 semi-final victory over Malaysia set up a clash with Pakistan, a challenge England again passed with flying colours, emerging 4-1 winners. Despite only playing four matches, England had five players who registered at least two goals in the competition, with Sam Hooper (4), Tom Sorsby (4), Henry Croft (3), Sam Ward (3) and Stuart Rushmere (2) highlighting their depth of attacking quality.
The team also had an exceptional season in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2025-26, losing just twice in 16 matches to finish second behind title winners Belgium. They claimed eight wins and six draws, earning valuable bonus points in all but one of those ties, winning five shoot-outs to finish with an impressive 35-point haul. Remarkably, both of England’s defeats – at the hands of reigning world and European champions Germany (4-1) and eventual champions Belgium (3-2) – came in 2025, going unbeaten in all 12 Pro League fixtures played in 2026. Their performances against Australia at London’s Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre in June were particularly notable, winning their opening meeting 4-3 before a Nick Bandurak double earned a 3-1 victory in their second match against an opponent they have rarely beaten. Bandurak top scored for England in the event with ten goals, while Croft (7), Hooper (6) and Ward (5) all made significant contributions.
How they qualified: 1st place - 2026 Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier, Ismailia (EGY)
Notable honours: Olympic gold medallists (1908), World Cup silver medallists (1986), European champions (2009), 2x EuroHockey Championship silver medallists (1987, 2023), 7x EuroHockey Championship bronze medallists (1978, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2017), FIH Hockey Pro League silver medallists (2025-26), FIH Champions Trophy silver medallists (2010), 4x Commonwealth Games bronze medallists (1998, 2014, 2018, 2022).
Rank in previous WC editions: 1973 – 6th, 1975 – 6th, 1978 – 7th, 1982 – 8th, 1986 – 2nd, 1990 – 5th, 1994 – 6th, 1998 – 6th, 2002 – 7th, 2006 – 5th, 2010 – 4th, 2014 – 4th, 2018 – 4th, 2023 – 5th
Head coach: Zak Jones.Interim head coach from September 2024 after Paul Revington’s departure, Zak Jones was appointed permanently in March 2025 following impressive early-season results in the 2024–25 Pro League. The former Wales international joined England and GB Hockey in 2020 as men’s assistant coach, having previously led Wales men through a highly successful period.
Quote: Captain, Zach Wallace: We have a pretty experienced squad which has a good mix of experience and some athletes that are making their World Cup debuts. We have five athletes going to their third World Cup, and five who will be going to their first. I think it’s a nice mix of experience in the squad. We’ve had a lot of consistency in the Pro League this year so we are hoping we can bring that to the World Cup too.
One to watch: Zach Wallace. Nominated for the FIH Hockey Stars Player of the Year Award both in 2023 and 2024, England captain Wallace is a world class attacking midfielder capable of match-winning moments of brilliance. Having barely missed a game since making his international debut in October 2018, the 26-year-old was named England Hockey’s Men’s Senior Performance Player of the Year for 2025. Plays his club hockey in the Netherlands for HGC in The Hague, having previously represented HC Bloemendaal.
FIH team / stats page: click here.
Website: https://www.englandhockey.co.uk
X: @EnglandHockey Facebook: @EnglandHockey Instagram: englandhockey
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.
