Argentina’s and the Netherlands’ men and Belgium’s women were the final teams to secure their semi-final spots at the FIH Hockey World Cup after another day of high-stakes action.

Argentina did what they needed to in a must-win encounter against India, securing a 5-3 victory. The Argentinians raced into an early lead, with Joaquin Toscani sweeping in from an acute angle just 39 seconds into the match. Nicolas della Torre then doubled the advantage from a penalty corner before India responded through Sukhjeet Singh, who picked up a crash ball into the circle and fired a powerful strike home in the 10^th minute. Tomas Domene restored Argentina’s two-goal cushion early in the third quarter, then added another from a penalty stroke after an Indian defensive error in the final minute of the quarter. Lucas Toscani made it 5-1 in the 53^rd minute to put the result beyond doubt. And while India did manage some late consolation, with Sukhjeet completing his double in the 58^th minute and Hardik Singh converting a penalty stroke with just 36 seconds remaining, it was far too late.

The Netherlands needed just a draw against England to book their semi-final spot, and they secured the vital point with a scoreline of 2-2 after a breathless encounter. England began the game needing to win by two clear goals to overhaul Argentina on goal difference after Los Leones’ earlier victory, and they got the start they needed when Zach Wallace set up Stuart Rushmere to put them in front in the sixth minute. But Jip Janssen ensured the Netherlands had the equaliser in the bag 45 seconds before half-time from what would be their only penalty corner of the match, much to the delight of the excited home crowd. A long pass into the circle set up Thierry Brinkman for the Netherlands’ second just two minutes into the second half. But England came back with Henry Croft’s penalty-corner strike in the 48^th minute to keep their hopes alive. They threw everything at trying to find two more goals in the final minutes, but the Dutch defence stood strong, leaving the English to now fight for fifth place.

Joep de Mol was named Player of the Match for the Netherlands and said afterwards: “I think it was a good game. There was a lot of tension on it… But I think we did well. We stayed composed, got a point, which was enough to top the group."

Spain’s women required a win to stay in semi-final contention, but it was Germany who, despite only playing for pride, produced a far more convincing performance to win 4-1. After controlling the opening exchanges, Lynn Krings finished off a lovely run down the right to open the scoring in the fifth minute. Spanish goalkeeper Clara Perez kept her side in the contest with a string of superb saves, including a sensational diving stick stop and even one off her forehead from a penalty corner. But there was nothing she could do in the 14^th minute as Sara Strauss got a close-range deflection to double Germany’s advantage. Spain pulled one back through Xantal Giné’s 41^st-minute penalty stroke, but Germany responded within seconds through Jette Fleschütz, playing in her 100^th international match, and added a fourth from Lena Micheel off a swift counterattack just moments later.

That result meant hosts Belgium were assured of their semi-final place before taking on Argentina, who had already booked their spot in the final four two days earlier. The outcome would, however, determine who would top the pool and avoid a semi-final showdown with defending champions the Netherlands in Amsterdam. The Belgians kept the Argentinians at bay in the first half but couldn’t create any clear scoring opportunities of their own. It was 0-0 at half-time, and the teams remained deadlocked by the final break. Plenty of pressure and a flurry of penalty corners for Belgium were well-weathered by Las Leonas in the final quarter. And the Argentinians held on for the draw, which was enough for them to top the group and book a semi-final clash with Australia rather than the Dutch.

Belgium’s Emma Puvrez was named as Player of the Match and said afterwards: “First quarter was a little bit difficult, then I think in the second half we were getting better and better and creating more chances. It's tough we couldn't score the goal, but it gives a lot of confidence for the next game.”

In earlier matches for the teams ranked lower in the tournament, New Zealand’s men claimed a 4-2 win over Pakistan to earn a place in the ninth-place playoff match against Ireland. Dylan Thomas took just 22 seconds to open the scoring, before Scott Boyde doubled the lead just 35 seconds into the second quarter with a reverse-stick rocket. George Baker made it 3-0 in the 22^nd minute, but Pakistan were much better in the third quarter and were rewarded with two penalty-corner goals from Sufyan Khan and Afraz. Kane Russell then made sure of the win with a 49^th-minute penalty corner.

Japan edged Wales 3-2 to secure a place in the 13th-place playoff against France. Shota Yamada gave Japan the lead with eight seconds left in the first quarter, before Kosei Kawabe doubled their advantage in the 28^th minute. The breakthrough came for Wales when Jacob Draper pulled one back from a penalty corner rebound in the fourth quarter, but Kazumasa Matsumoto restored Japan’s two-goal lead with an empty-net strike after Wales had removed their keeper. Sam Welsh scored with 34 seconds remaining, but it was too late to spark a comeback.

In the women’s matches, the United States earned the chance to play off for ninth place after a 3-1 victory over Ireland. Niamh Carey put the Irish ahead in the 13^th minute with a beautiful one-handed deflection, but Lucy Adams levelled just before half-time. Mia Schoenbeck then put the USA ahead from a penalty corner in the 42^nd minute, before 17-year-old Reese D’Ariano created the third with a superb run into the circle for Abigail Tamer to finish in the 52^nd minute.

Earlier, Scotland came from behind to beat New Zealand 2-1, securing back-to-back World Cup wins for the first time since 1998, and will play Japan for 11^th place. Brittany Wang put New Zealand ahead in the 23^rd minute, but Fiona Burnett levelled the scores just three minutes later. The New Zealanders then had a great chance to retake the lead just before half-time, but the buzzer sounded before they could get the shot away. Scotland then grabbed the winner with just 19 seconds left in the third quarter, Heather McEwan squeezing the ball home from a penalty-corner rebound.

To see the upcoming match schedule starting on Thursday, click here.

24 August 2026 Results

Women

Result: Match 37 (W)

New Zealand 1 - 2 Scotland (Pool H)

Player of the match: Katie Birch (SCO)

Umpires: Xiaoying Liu (CHN), Victoria Pazos (PAR), Hyosik You (KOR-video)

Result: Match 38 (W)

Ireland 1 - 3 USA (Pool H)

Player of the match: Ashley Sessa (USA)

Umpires: Kristy Robertson (AUS), Rachel Williams (ENG), Coen van Bunge (NED-video)

Result: Match 39 (W)

Spain 1 - 4 Germany (Pool F)

Player of the match: Jette Fleschütz (GER)

Umpires: Aleisha Neumann (AUS), Wanri Venter (RSA), Hong-Zhen Lim (SGP-video)

Result: Match 40 (W)

Belgium 0 - 0 Argentina (Pool F)

Player of the match: Emma Puvrez (BEL)

Umpires: Sarah Wilson (SCO), Hanna Harrison (ENG), Gareth Greenfield (NZL-video)

Men

Result: Match 37 (M)

Japan 3 - 2 Wales (Pool G)

Player of the match: Kosei Kawabe (JPN)

Umpires: Rawi Anbananthan (MAS), Jonas van’t Hek (NED), Magali Sergeant (BEL-video)

Result: Match 38 (M)

New Zealand 4 - 2 Pakistan (Pool G)

Player of the match: Charlie Morrison (NZL)

Umpires: Sean Edwards (ENG), Darren Hubach (RSA), Alison Keogh (IRE-video)

Result: Match 39 (M)

Argentina 5 - 3 India (Pool E)

Player of the match: Lucas Toscani (ARG)

Umpires: Sean Rapaport (RSA), Steve Rogers (AUS), Ayanna McClean (TTO-video)

Result: Match 40 (M)

Netherlands 2 - 2 England (Pool E)

Player of the match: Joep de Mol (NED)

Umpires: Ben Goentgen (GER), Zeke Newman (AUS), Amber Church (NZL-video)