History was made in Belgium and the Netherlands as the inaugural FIH Para Hockey World Cup came to a close today, marking a landmark moment for hockey and for the athletes who competed for the very first Para Hockey World Cup title, which was eventually won by Italy, beating Spain in the final (5-4). England and Pakistan won the Challenger Trophies, finishing both in 9th place.

From 20 to 24 August, athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) from around the world took centre stage, competing in mixed-gender teams in an exciting 6-a-side format that brought speed, energy, passion and skill to the international stage.

For the first time, Para Hockey athletes had the opportunity to compete for the title of World Champions – a defining milestone for the athletes, their teams and the sport as a whole. And beyond the competition, the inaugural World Cup was a celebration of everything hockey stands for: diversity, inclusion, respect, friendship and togetherness.

There were tears and laughter, joy and disappointment, intense competition and unforgettable celebrations. Above all, there was an extraordinary sense of caring and a powerful bond between the athletes – on the pitch and beyond it. Fair play and mutual respect were visible throughout the tournament, creating an atmosphere that made this first World Cup truly special.

The tournament featured 16 teams, divided into two pools. Pool A comprised Belgium, Italy, Germany, France, Pakistan, Zambia, Ireland and the USA, while Pool B brought together the Netherlands, Spain, Bulgaria, England, India, Malaysia, Chile and Argentina.

Matches from 20 to 23 August were played at Myra Hockey Club in Amstelveen and Louvain-la-Neuve Hockey Club, before the competition reached its historic climax today at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen and Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, venues also hosting the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026.

The inaugural FIH Para Hockey World Cup was much more than a new competition. It was a powerful expression of principles firmly anchored in the DNA and policies of the International Hockey Federation (FIH): hockey should be accessible, inclusive and open to everyone.

A wonderful first chapter has now been written - one filled with emotion, courage, friendship and pride.

The first-ever FIH Para Hockey World Cup may be over, but this is only the beginning of a long story.

A new generation of hockey history has been written – and the athletes were the ones who wrote it.