Official name: FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026
Tournament dates: August 15–29, 2026
Host countries: Belgium and the Netherlands
Venues: Belfius Hockey Arena, Wavre, Belgium, and Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen, Netherlands
Updated September 3, 2026: Argentina are the champions of the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026 after defeating the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout. The women’s tournament was played from August 15 to August 29, 2026, with 16 teams competing across Belgium and the Netherlands.
The 2026 edition brought together 16 of the world’s leading women’s field hockey teams. The competition featured elite teams from Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Americas, with the Netherlands entering as three-time defending champions.
Argentina ultimately ended the Dutch reign and lifted the World Cup trophy after a tense final. The result was one of the biggest stories in a busy year for women’s sport, alongside events such as the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship and 2026 Tour de France Femmes.
2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup Results at a Glance
- Official name: FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026
- Dates: August 15–29, 2026
- Champion: Argentina
- Runner-up: Netherlands
- Bronze: Belgium
- Fourth: Australia
- Final: Netherlands 1–1 Argentina, Argentina won shootout 3–1
- Final venue: Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen
- Top scorer: Yibbi Jansen, Netherlands — 8 goals
- Best Player of the Tournament: Charlotte Englebert, Belgium
Argentina End a 16-Year Wait
Argentina produced the defining story of the tournament by winning the Women’s Hockey World Cup for the first time since 2010. Las Leonas showed composure throughout the knockout stages and delivered under pressure when the championship was decided by a shootout.
The victory gave Argentina another major international title and ended a long wait for the country’s women’s hockey team. Their success also highlighted the depth and competitiveness of international women’s hockey.
Argentina’s achievement was particularly significant because the tournament featured many of the world’s strongest hockey nations, including several teams that regularly challenge for medals at major events.
Netherlands Lose Their Three-Time Reign
The Netherlands entered the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026 as the three-time defending champions and were widely expected to challenge for another title. They reached the final but could not complete another championship run.
The Dutch team finished the final level at 1–1 after regulation time. Argentina then prevailed 3–1 in the shootout to claim the trophy.
Yibbi Jansen remained one of the Netherlands’ most important attacking players throughout the tournament. She finished as the competition’s leading scorer with eight goals.
Belgium Wins Bronze at Home
Belgium gave their home supporters another reason to celebrate by defeating Australia 1–0 in the bronze-medal match. The result put Belgium on the World Cup podium for the first time since 1978.
The bronze medal was particularly significant because Belgium hosted the tournament alongside the Netherlands. Charlotte Englebert was also named Best Player of the Tournament, making the competition an outstanding individual and team success for the hosts.
Belgium’s result adds to a strong year for international women’s sport, where home advantage and emerging teams have created several memorable competitions.
Australia Finish Fourth
Australia narrowly missed out on a medal after losing 1–0 to Belgium in the bronze-medal match. The Hockeyroos nevertheless remained one of the strongest teams in the tournament and finished fourth overall.
Australia also produced the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper, with Jocelyn Bartram receiving the individual award.
India Finish Fifth
India finished fifth overall after a strong tournament campaign. Their final position placed them ahead of several traditionally powerful European and international teams.
India’s performance is another important development for women’s hockey in Asia and adds interest to the sport’s increasingly competitive international landscape.
Yibbi Jansen Leads the Scoring
Netherlands forward Yibbi Jansen finished the 2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals.
Jansen also reached a major personal milestone during the competition by scoring her 100th international goal in the Netherlands’ 4–2 victory over Australia.
Her scoring record was one of the individual highlights of a tournament that produced 177 goals overall.
Charlotte Englebert Named Best Player
Belgium’s Charlotte Englebert was named the Best Player of the Tournament. Her performances were an important part of Belgium’s run to the bronze medal.
Englebert’s award was one of several individual honors announced after the final, alongside the top scorer, best goalkeeper, and Rising Star awards.
2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup Final
The final between the Netherlands and Argentina was a closely contested match. Neither side could separate itself during regulation time, with the score ending 1–1.
The championship therefore went to a shootout. Argentina won the shootout 3–1 and secured the World Cup title.
The result was especially significant because Argentina ended the Netherlands’ three-tournament championship streak in front of a major international audience.
Final Standings
| Position | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina |
| 2 | Netherlands |
| 3 | Belgium |
| 4 | Australia |
| 5 | India |
| 6 | Germany |
| 7 | Spain |
| 8 | China |
| 9 | England |
| 10 | United States |
| 11 | Japan |
| 12 | Scotland |
| 13 | Ireland |
| 14 | South Africa |
| 15 | New Zealand |
| 16 | Chile |
Tournament Awards
- Best Player of the Tournament: Charlotte Englebert—Belgium
- Best Goalkeeper: Jocelyn Bartram—Australia
- Top Scorer: Yibbi Jansen—Netherlands, 8 goals
- JSW Rising Star: Zoe Diaz — Argentina
The 16 Teams and Pools
The tournament began with four pools of four teams.
- Pool A: Netherlands, Australia, Chile, Japan
- Pool B: Argentina, Germany, United States, Scotland
- Pool C: Belgium, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland
- Pool D: China, England, India, South Africa
The group-stage format was followed by second-round groups and classification matches before the semifinal and medal stages. This structure gave teams multiple opportunities to compete after the opening pool phase.
Venues
The FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026 was jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. Matches were played at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium, and Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.
Wagener Stadium hosted the final, providing the setting for Argentina’s dramatic shootout victory over the Netherlands.
Why the 2026 Tournament Matters
The tournament demonstrated how competitive international women’s hockey has become. Argentina returned to the top, the Netherlands lost their long-running dominance, Belgium reached the podium on home soil and Australia remained among the leading nations.
The wider women’s sporting calendar has also been packed with major international competitions. Readers following other events can see our coverage of the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open, 2026 Standard Portland Classic and 2026 Abierto GNP Seguros Monterrey.
Other international competitions covered by LankaSport include the 2026 Beach Pro Tour Elite16 Montréal and the 2026 BWF World Championships.
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- 2026 CPKC Women’s Open
- 2026 Standard Portland Classic
- 2026 Abierto GNP Seguros Monterrey
- 2026 Beach Pro Tour Elite16 Montréal
- 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official name of the tournament?
The official name is the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026.
When was the 2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup played?
The women’s tournament was played from August 15 to August 29, 2026.
Who won the 2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup?
Argentina won the 2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup, defeating the Netherlands in the final shootout.
What was the score in the final?
The Netherlands and Argentina drew 1–1 after regulation time. Argentina won the shootout 3–1.
Who finished third?
Belgium won the bronze medal by defeating Australia 1–0.
Who was the top scorer?
Yibbi Jansen of the Netherlands was the top scorer with eight goals.
Who was named Player of the Tournament?
Belgium’s Charlotte Englebert was named Best Player of the Tournament.
Final Verdict
The 2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup delivered a memorable finish. Argentina ended a 16-year wait for the title, the Netherlands lost their three-time championship reign, and Belgium celebrated a historic home bronze medal.
With a dramatic final, strong individual performances, and a highly competitive field, the tournament further underlined the growing strength of international women’s field hockey.