Live Blog | India vs Pakistan | FIH Hockey World Cup 2026

Pakistan win possession and immediately push forward. 

Hannan Shahid showcases brilliant stick work, shifting the ball from right to left before finding the target with a composed finish.

Pakistan have their third.

PAK 3-5 IND

Abhishek almost makes it six!

Another glimpse of the creativity he has brought to this game. Abhishek finds a pocket of space inside the D and unleashes a beautiful reverse strike, but a deflection takes it wide.

Sukhjeet, the lone Indian attacker beats Pakistan's defence and gets Ali Raza off his line, but can't get enough on the lofted attempt. 

PAK 2-5 IND

A neat pass from Hardik Rai in midfield finds Aditya Lalage just outside the circle. Aditya does the rest, driving into the D and winning India another penalty corner.

Amit Rohidas takes the drag-flick, but Ali Raza stands tall in the Pakistan goal to keep it out.

PAK 2-5 IND

And of course, vice-captain Hardik Rai rises to the occasion!

No nerves. No mistake.

Hardik makes no mistake from the spot to give India their fifth goal of the night!

PAK 2-5 IND

An intentional foul on Aditya Lalage inside the circle gives India an early penalty stroke in the second half.

A huge chance to extend the lead.

PAK 2-4 IND

India need to settle into the second half quickly. Better possession and control in these opening minutes will be crucial to keeping Pakistan’s attacking threat at bay, as head coach Craig Fulton emphasised at half-time.

PAK 2-4 IND

WHAT A HALF!

Relentless from the first whistle. Six goals, chances at both ends and barely a moment to catch our breath.

India lead 4-2 at the break, but this one is far from over.

Sufyan Khan steps up to drag flick! It takes a deflection off Amit Rohidas and finds the back of the net.

Pakistan pull one back once again.

PAK 2-4 IND

Abhishek is a true magician with the stick today!

He dances his way through the Pakistan defence with some brilliant dribbling inside the D. He gets the final touch and the ball takes a deflection off a Pakistan stick before finding the net!

PAK 1-4 IND

Karkera makes the initial save, but the danger isn't over. Hannan Shahid reacts quickest, comes back with another impressive run and powers it into the net.

Pakistan have a goal against the run of play, and suddenly the gap is down to two.

PAK 1-3 IND

The initial drag-flick doesn’t quite come off, but Rajinder keeps the move alive. After a couple of quick exchanges inside the D, the ball finds its way back to Harmanpreet, who makes no mistake this time.

A powerful strike across the goal and India have their third!

PAK 0-3 IND

All by himself, he drives into the circle and forces a Pakistan defender into a foot, winning India another penalty corner. 5 minutes into Q2 and India get a chance to go one up! 

PAK 0-2 IND

As Q2 gets underway, the intensity goes up another notch.

Pakistan have possession, but Jarmanpreet Singh puts in a strong defensive challenge. The ball flies into the stands and unfortunately strikes a spectator.

The medical team is quickly on hand, with the spectator receiving medical attention.

What. A. Quarter!

India have come out firing, finding the net twice and earning four penalty corners in the opening 15 minutes.

Pakistan have had their moments on the counter, but India have controlled much of the tempo and looked dangerous every time they have entered the circle.

India make it 2-0!

Abhishek brings down the aerial pass brilliantly and gets the final touch before the ball takes a deflection off a Pakistan defender and finds its way into the net.

PAK 0-2 IND

Less than 30 seconds later, India win another penalty corner, but Pakistan's defence holds firm to deny India a second goal.

PAK 0-1 IND

The noiseee!

Harmanpreet Singh makes no mistake this time, firing India into the lead with a powerful strike!

PAK 0-1 IND

Penalty corner for India! Abhishek wins India's first penalty corner of the match.

PAK 0-0 IND

Nerves in the opening 90 seconds, but India are on the attack from the get-go. Dilpreet gets the first shot away, but it deflects off the Pakistan defence and goes wide of the target.

PAK 0-0 IND

Q1 gets underway, India move from left to right!

IND 0-0 PAK 

India take the turf and line up for the national anthem. Here's how the team is set up against Pakistan tonight:

Suraj Karkera (GK)

Harmanpreet Singh (C)

Dilpreet Singh

Jugraj Singh

Sanjay

Hardik Rai

Manpreet Singh

Rajinder Singh

Sumit

Mandeep Singh

Abhishek

Subs: Mohith H.S., Jarmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Amit Rohidas, Shilanand Lakra, Aditya Arjun Lalage

India have dominated the rivalry in recent years. India are unbeaten in their last 19 meetings against Pakistan since 2016 - winning 17 and drawing two.

The rivalry returns to the World Cup stage in a few minutes!

The only time India and Pakistan have met in a Hockey World Cup final, India won.

1975. Kuala Lumpur: India 2-1 Pakistan. 

That remains India’s only men’s World Cup title. 🏆