India Finish 8th at FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 After Belgium Win Thrilling Shootout in Wavre

India's campaign at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 ended in heartbreak as Belgium defeated the Indian men's team 4-3 in a shootout to claim seventh place at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre on Friday.

The regulation period had ended 3-3 after India produced a dramatic late equaliser, with Harmanpreet Singh converting a penalty corner with just 26 seconds remaining. But Belgium held their nerve in the shootout to win the classification match and leave India with an eighth-place finish.

For Harmanpreet, there was at least a personal achievement to take away from a difficult tournament. The Indian captain finished with eight goals, joint-top of the tournament scoring charts with Argentina's Domene at the end of India's campaign.

The match itself was a roller-coaster, with momentum repeatedly shifting between the two teams.

Belgium began aggressively, using a full-court press and entering the Indian circle inside the opening minute. India weathered the early pressure before gradually settling into the contest. The Blue Tigers took the lead in the sixth minute.

Manpreet Singh created the opportunity before finding Abhishek at a tight angle. The forward unleashed a powerful push towards goal, and Belgian goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch could only pad the ball into his own goal.

Belgium immediately responded by earning a penalty corner, but Suraj Karkera stood firm against Alexander Hendrickx's drag-flick. The hosts continued to apply pressure, forcing India into a defensive battle. Jugraj Singh produced an important intervention near the Indian post, while Nelson Onana came close with a diving deflection.

India were then reduced to 10 players after Harmanpreet received a yellow card when India were found to have an extra player on the pitch. Belgium attempted to capitalise on the numerical advantage. A video referral resulted in another penalty corner after the ball rose off Jugraj's stick, but Karkera produced an excellent save from Hendrickx. The Indian goalkeeper then denied the Belgian drag-flicker again from the retaken set-piece.

Belgium turn the match around

Harmanpreet returned from suspension early in the second quarter, and India soon earned their first penalty corner following a successful video referral. Harmanpreet's flick struck the rusher's foot, but the subsequent retake was blocked by the Belgian defence.

Belgium then found their breakthrough. In the 22nd minute, Roman Duvekot created space after receiving a cross in front of goal. He wrong-footed Hardik Singh and Sanjay before beating goalkeeper Mohith HS to make it 1-1.

Barely a minute later, Belgium earned another penalty corner. Hugo Labouchere made no mistake, converting the opportunity to put the hosts 2-1 ahead. Belgium continued to dominate possession and territory for the remainder of the half. India defended another penalty corner and Mohith was forced into action, but the hosts went into the interval with a 2-1 advantage.

India came out with a completely different energy after half-time. Rajinder Singh helped create a penalty-corner opportunity, allowing Harmanpreet to step up. The captain unleashed a powerful drag-flick that beat Vanasch and made it 2-2. Belgium challenged the goal, but the video review found no infringement and India's equaliser stood.

The hosts appeared to have regained the lead soon afterwards when Hendrickx converted another penalty corner. India, however, successfully referred the decision, with the goal ruled out because of height. The third quarter therefore ended with the teams level at 2-2.

Belgium eventually regained the lead early in the final period.

Manpreet Singh was struck in the face by a close-range Labouchere attempt and had to leave the field with a bloody injury. Soon afterwards, Belgium created another attacking opportunity, with the ball rising off an Indian defender before falling to Nicolas de Kerpel.

His hit bounced off the turf and found the net beyond Mohith, putting Belgium 3-2 ahead.

Belgium appeared to be heading towards victory as India struggled to break through a packed defensive structure. Vanasch produced an important save from an Abhishek reverse hit in the 57th minute, keeping Belgium in control. India then took a major gamble.

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With less than three minutes remaining, Karkera was removed, and India brought on an additional outfield player. The decision ultimately paid off. The Blue Tigers earned a penalty corner with just 26 seconds remaining, creating one final opportunity to rescue the match.

Harmanpreet stepped forward once again. The captain's drag-flick beat Vanasch, sending the contest into a shootout at 3-3 and giving India fresh hope of finishing their World Cup campaign with a victory.

Belgium wins the shootout.

The shootout proved decisive. Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet Singh were denied by Vanasch, while Abhishek successfully converted India's final attempt. Belgium, meanwhile, found the target through Tom Boon, Arthur de Sloover and Hendrickx, who scored from a penalty stroke.

The decisive attempt then fell to Duvekot. The Belgian attacker converted despite Indian goalkeeper Mohith HS contesting the decision with a referral. The goal stood, handing Belgium a 4-3 shootout victory.

Belgium finished seventh, while India had to settle for eighth.

The result brought the curtain down on a campaign that had promised more for India. Craig Fulton's side had entered the World Cup with ambitions of challenging for a place in the latter stages but suffered defeats against Argentina and the Netherlands in the second-round group stage, ending their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

The eighth-place finish will therefore be a disappointment, particularly for a team that has consistently competed among the world's leading hockey nations.

At an individual level, Harmanpreet's eight goals remain one of the positives from India's campaign. His penalty-corner ability once again proved crucial, and his late goal against Belgium ensured India at least had an opportunity to finish seventh.

But ultimately, Belgium had the final say. India fought until the final seconds, forced the match into a shootout and came within one successful attempt of claiming seventh place. Instead, the hosts held their nerve to end India's World Cup with another narrow defeat.

The Blue Tigers now leave Wavre with an eighth-place finish, plenty of lessons to absorb and a clear need to convert competitive performances into victories when the next major international challenge arrives.