India suffered a 4-2 defeat to England in their second Pool D match of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 on Monday, as England overturned a 2-1 half-time deficit with a dominant second-half performance at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen.
England struck first, but India responded strongly in the second quarter through goals from captain Harmanpreet Singh and Dilpreet Singh to take a 2-1 advantage into the break. India, however, were unable to maintain that momentum after half-time.
England increased the pressure in the third quarter and scored twice to regain the lead before Nick Bandurak converted a penalty corner in the closing stages to make it 4-2 and put the result beyond India’s reach.
Despite the defeat, India narrowly led several statistical categories, finishing with 51 per cent possession compared with England’s 49 per cent and recording 11 shots to England’s 10. England, however, proved more clinical in front of goal.
The result extended India’s long wait for a World Cup victory over England to 32 years, with their last win against the European side at the tournament coming in 1994.
England remain at the top of Pool D with six points from two matches after opening their campaign with a 4-1 victory over Pakistan. India sit second with three points, having defeated Wales 3-1 in their tournament opener.
India will now face arch-rivals Pakistan in their final pool match, with the result crucial to their hopes of progressing further in the tournament. England will conclude their Pool D campaign against Wales.
India are seeking their first men’s Hockey World Cup title since their historic triumph in 1975.
