Wavre, August 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India finished eighth at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 after losing a thrilling seventh-place playoff to hosts Belgium 3-4 in a shootout at the Belfius Hockey Arena here on Friday.
The match ended 3-3 in regulation time after India scored with just 26 seconds remaining to force the contest into a shootout.
Harmanpreet Singh was once again India’s standout performer, scoring twice, including the late equaliser from a penalty corner. He finished the tournament with eight goals, level with Argentina’s Domene at the top of the scoring charts with one day of competition remaining.
India started strongly and took the lead in the sixth minute through Abhishek. Belgium responded in the second quarter, with Roman Duvekot and Hugo Labouchere scoring in quick succession to put the hosts 2-1 ahead.
Harmanpreet restored parity soon after half-time with a powerful penalty-corner drag-flick. Belgium appeared to retake the lead through Alexander Hendrickx, but India successfully challenged the goal, which was ruled out for height.
Belgium eventually went ahead again in the fourth quarter when Nicolas de Kerpel converted after the ball fell to him inside the circle.
India pushed forward in search of an equaliser and removed goalkeeper Suraj Karkera for an additional outfield player with less than three minutes left. The move paid off when India won a penalty corner with 26 seconds remaining, with Harmanpreet beating Vincent Vanasch to make it 3-3.
Belgium dominated the shootout, with Tom Boon, Arthur de Sloover and Hendrickx converting. Duvekot scored the decisive attempt after Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet Singh were denied by Vanasch, while Abhishek converted India’s final attempt.
India’s eighth-place finish brings their World Cup campaign to an end, while Belgium secured seventh place on home soil.
The result also marked a personal highlight for Harmanpreet, who ended the tournament with eight goals. However, India will rue the missed opportunities that prevented them from reaching the semi-finals.
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