India’s men’s hockey team finished eighth at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 after Belgium edged them 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a thrilling 3-3 draw in regulation time at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre on Friday.
The result brought a disappointing end to India’s campaign, but not before they pushed the co-hosts all the way in a fiercely contested classification match.
India made a flying start when Abhishek’s ball into the circle took a deflection off Alexander Hendrickx and found the net in the sixth minute. Belgium responded with sustained pressure, earning three penalty corners in quick succession, but India’s defence stood firm.
The hosts eventually found an equaliser in the 22nd minute. Roman Duvekot reacted quickest inside the circle and lifted the ball beyond Mohith HS. Belgium then moved ahead shortly afterwards when Hugo Labouchere unleashed a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner.
India had another setback when Harmanpreet Singh was shown a yellow card after his side was found to have 12 players on the pitch. Despite being temporarily reduced to 10 men, India went into the interval just one goal behind.
Harmanpreet restored parity early in the second half. His trademark drag-flick from a penalty corner beat Vincent Vanasch, with Belgium’s referral failing to overturn the decision.
Belgium thought they had regained the lead through another penalty-corner effort, but India successfully challenged the decision on the grounds of dangerous height. The hosts continued to create opportunities, though, and Arthur de Sloover finally put them ahead again in the 47th minute after another video review confirmed the goal.
India refused to give up. With the clock winding down, they removed their goalkeeper and added an extra outfield player in search of an equaliser. The gamble paid off in the final minute when Harmanpreet converted another penalty corner to make it 3-3 and force a shootout.
The shootout proved agonising for India. Harmanpreet missed his first attempt after appearing to expect a whistle and then saw his retaken effort stopped by Vanasch. Sukhjeet also failed to convert, while Belgium’s Foubert missed his chance.
Shilanand Lakra and Dilpreet Singh kept India alive, while Abhishek also found the target. Belgium, however, held their nerve. Hendrickx converted after Mohith was penalised for a foul, and Duvekot eventually scored the decisive attempt after India’s referral failed.
Belgium celebrated a dramatic victory on home soil, while India were left to settle for eighth place after a campaign that ended with another narrow defeat.
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