On the fourth day of the first round of the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, the hosts Netherlands and Australia have advanced to the second round, while New Zealand and Argentina have intensified their battles, as have Spain and Ireland.
Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026: First Round – Day 4 Results
(Pool A)
New Zealand 2–0 Japan
With a 2-0 win, New Zealand earned crucial three points to stay in the battle for the second round, while Japan have secured their classification spot with a second straight defeat. Both Black Sticks goals came from field goals, as Sam Lane scored the opener in the 12th minute and Dylan Thomas added another one in the 46th minute.
While New Zealand started the tournament with a big 5-1 defeat, Japan lost 3-0 against Argentina in their first game.
Argentina 1–3 Netherlands
Three-time champions Netherlands, the co-hosts, have secured their place in the second round after a 3-1 win against Argentina. Thierry Brinkman scored the opening goal for the Dutch in the seventh minute, while Della Torre equalised the scoreline four minutes later by successfully converting a penalty corner. Tijmen Reyenga helped the hosts to regain the lead in the 34th minute from a penalty corner, while Duco Telgenkamp secured the victory with a 42nd-minute goal.
Earlier, the Netherlands started the tournament with a 5-1 win against New Zealand, while Argentina beat Japan by 3-0. After the second match day of the first round, New Zealand and Argentina are now in the battle for the second spot in the Pool A points table, as the winner of their meeting in the third and last match day of the group will secure this glory spot. Meanwhile, a draw in the match between Argentina and New Zealand will put Argentina ahead due to the better goal difference.
(Pool C)
Spain 0–1 Australia
Three-time champions Australia claimed a 1-0 win against Spain, where Blake Govers scored the solitary goal in the 47th minute from a penalty stroke. With this win, Australia have secured their place for the second round, as they started the tournament with a 3-1 win against Ireland. Meanwhile, Spain are still in the battle for the second round, as they will have to fight with Ireland to grab the spot, while the Redsticks claimed a 3-1 win against South Africa in their first game of the tournament.
Ireland 4–1 South Africa
Ireland claimed a strong 4-1 win against South Africa to stay in the contest, while with their second consecutive defeat, South Africa have moved down the classification round. After the first two quarters didn’t see a single goal, South African Kenton Melville broke the deadlock with a field goal in the 38th minute. Five minutes later, Benjamin Walker equalised for Ireland with a field goal. Lee Cole scored the next two goals (49’ and 56’) both from penalty corners, and Sam Hyland added the fourth goal in the last minute.
Now, in the upcoming Ireland vs Spain match, the winner will advance to the second round.
Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026: First Round – Day 4 Points Table
Pool A
Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Difference | Points |
Netherlands | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +6 | 6 |
Argentina | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
Japan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -5 | 0 |
Pool C
Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Difference | Points |
Australia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 6 |
Ireland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
Spain | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
South Africa | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -5 | 0 |
