Men’s crossovers began today with four matches at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifier in Santiago, Chile. France earned a spot at this year’s World Cup with a 4-2 victory over Poland, while Ireland secured one with a 4-0 shutout over Wales.

The winner of the upcoming match between Poland and Wales will also go on to the World Cup.

With wins of their own today, Scotland and Canada will play for fifth place, while Korea and Chile will play for seventh.

(Men’s) Scotland 8 – 2 Korea

After a heartbreaking result in pool play that dashed its World Cup dreams, Scotland unleashed its fury out on Korea, winning 8-2.

A swift three goals in the first five minutes gave Scotland a comfortable start. Jamie Golden notched the first on a penalty corner, while Struan Walker hit back-to-back strikes. It was perhaps too relaxed for Scotland, who gave up two goals to Korea before the first quarter ended. Dohyun Lim scored his second of the tournament off a set piece, while Min Su Cheon got his first to bring the score to 3-2.

Scotland’s Walker got his hat trick early in the second frame off a long angle shot. Korea threatened with several penalty corner chances, but would not convert again in the period or for the rest of the match.

Golden showed off a set piece flick of immense force to open the third quarter, while Andrew McConnell added another to put Scotland up 6-2 to end the frame. In the final quarter, Walker tallied his fourth goal of the game, while Golden became the second Scot of the match to garner a hat trick.

Scotland’s Struan Walker, in his 50th international cap, was named player of the match. “I think we’re so happy to kind of bounce back from those tough two games,” said Walker. “Two days ago our dreams of going to a World Cup were taken away from us, it was our own fault don’t get me wrong, but to be able to bounce back, put on a performance, score eight goals, I’m so proud of us.”

(Men’s) Canada 3 – 2 Chile

In a scrappy, contentious match fighting for a chance to play for fifth, Canada bested Chile in dramatic fourth quarter fashion.

Juan Amoroso tallied on a set piece to open the match and give Chile the first lead. But with a good bit of 3D skill, Canada’s Hudson Loh scored his first to even out the scoreline. A minute later, Chile took back its lead when Raimundo Valenzuela tapped in a crossed ball.

The second and third quarters were a stalemate when it came to goals, but Canada found the equalizer in the fourth quarter from Roopkanwar Dhillon. Despite getting two yellow cards following the goal, Canada still found the game-winner when Sean Davis finished off a penalty corner in the final minute.

Canada’s Sean Davis was named player of the match. “We started slowly this tournament,” said Davis. “And to get two wins now is good momentum for us going forward, especially [against] Chile. In the Pan Am we’ve been rivals with them for a while, so it’s good to get a win against them.”

(Men’s) France 4 – 2 Poland

A disciplined defense and productive offense propelled France to their third consecutive World Cup qualification.

There was solid play from both sides in the opening frame, but one penalty corner in the 14th minute put France ahead, as Timothée Clément put it away.

Two quick goals to kick off the next frame put France at a more comfortable 3-0 lead, one from Stanislas Branicki and another from Xavier Esmenjuad. The game was not out of reach for Poland just yet, as Tomasz Bembenek found the back of the cage on a penalty corner to bring the score to 3-1 before halftime.

Poland brought it even closer early in the third, as Wojciech Rutkowski sent in the rebound from a set piece shot to bring the deficient to one. France regained their two-goal lead for the remainder of the match shortly after via Corentin Sellier’s goal.

France’s François Goyet was named player of the match. “We are really happy with the qualification to [the World Cup],” said Goyet. “That was the main objective, so we are really happy about it.”

(Men’s) Ireland 4 – 0 Wales

Just as it had been doing all week, Ireland executed when needed, this time shutting out Wales 4-0 to cement a trip to the World Cup.

It seemed all of Ireland’s goals were a thing of beauty, starting with Jonathan Lynch’s diving play in the first few minutes. The second would come in the next frame, a lovely passing sequence that was finished by Louis Rowe.

Ireland kept on with its composure, scoring two more in the third quarter. Lynch tallied his second and Matthew Nelson sent in a shot over the goalkeeper to put Ireland up 4-0.

Ireland’s Jonathan Lynch was named player of the match. “We’re absolutely ecstatic,” said Lynch. “We came here with one goal, and it was to qualify for the World Cup and we’ve done that, so that’s achievement number one, but now we want to go on and win the tournament.”

To see the current standings in the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier Santiago, click here.

FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier 2026 Santiago – March 6, 2026

Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional

Santiago, Chile

Results:

(Men’s) Scotland 8 – 2 Korea

Player of the match: Struan Walker (SCO) Umpires: Ilanggo Kanabathu (MAS), Juan Pedro Rodriguez (ARG), Xiaoying Liu (CHN) – video

(Men’s) Canada 3 – 2 Chile

Player of the match: Sean Davis (CAN)

Umpires: James Unkles (AUS), Jamie Telfer (SCO), Xiaoying Liu (CHN) – video

(Men’s) France 4 – 2 Poland

Player of the match: François Goyet (FRA)

Umpires: Hyosik You (KOR), Darren Hubach (RSA), Kelly Hudson (NZL) – video

(Men’s) Ireland 4 – 0 Wales

Player of the match: Jonanthan Lynch (IRL)

Umpires: Zeke Newman (AUS), Tyler Klenk (CAN), Laurine Delforge (BEL) – video