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The 2018 world champions and current world number one Belgium will kick off their FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign against France on August 15, Saturday at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium. The Arthur Van Doren-led star-studded team features experienced members, drawn from the squad that secured silver at the 2023 World Cup and gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
Belgium reached the final in the last FIH Hockey World Cup in 2023, narrowly losing to Germany in Bhubaneswar, India. This time, playing on home soil and determined to reclaim their crown, returning national coach Shane McLeod has picked a formidable squad. They include legendary figures like Vincent Vanasch, Alexander Hendrickx, Tom Boon, and Victor Wegnez, perfectly balanced with rising young talents.
“As a group we have enjoyed the success of the Hockey Pro League but know that for the World Cup we must focus on a new challenge. Having this challenge in our home country is a motivating factor. We will ensure that we display all of the qualities that the supporters expect from this Red Lions group,” said Shane McLeod who has overseen the most successful era in Belgian hockey history.
Belgium Hockey Team’s Achievements:
- FIH Men’s World Cup champions: 2018
- Olympic gold medallists: 2021
- Olympic silver medallists: 2016
- FIH Men’s World Cup silver medallists: 2023
- Olympic bronze medallists: 1920
- FIH Hockey Pro League champions: 2020–21, 2025–26
- FIH Hockey Pro League silver medallists: 2019, 2021–22, 2024–25
- Hockey World League silver medallists: 2015
- European champions: 2019
- European silver medallists: 2013, 2017
- European bronze medallists: 2007, 2021, 2023
FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Pool B Teams
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Malaysia
Belgium Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Squad
Goalkeepers: Simon Vandenbroucke, Vincent Vanasch.
Players: Arthur Van Doren, Arno Van Dessel, Lucas Balthazar, Thibeau Stockbroekx, Maxime Van Oost, Tommy Willems, Nicolas De Kerpel, Alexander Hendrickx, Guillaume Hellin, Roman Duvekot, Hugo Labouchere, Victor Foubert, Arthur De Sloover, Victor Wegnez, Tom Boon, Nelson Onana, Thomas Crols.
Belgium Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Team Staff
- Captain: Arthur Van Doren
- Manager: Lionel Sapart
- Coach: Shane McLeod
- Assistant Coaches: Steve Bayer, Pascal Kina
Belgium Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Fixtures
- August 15, 2026 — 8:30 PM: Belgium vs France
Venue: Belfius Hockey Arena, Belgium - August 18, 2026 — 12:00 AM: Germany vs Belgium
Venue: Belfius Hockey Arena, Belgium - August 19, 2026 — 6:00 PM: Belgium vs Malaysia
Venue: Belfius Hockey Arena, Belgium
Where to watch the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 in Belgium?
Fans in Belgium can watch the matches live on Sporza, RTBF, and the official Watch.Hockey platform.