India’s players during the FIH World Cup. (AP/PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: India’s hopes of reaching the semifinals of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 are hanging by a thread after their second-round defeat to the Netherlands, but Argentina’s 3-1 win over England has kept Craig Fulton’s side mathematically alive. India suffered a 1-3 loss to the Netherlands on Saturday, leaving them bottom of Pool E with no points from their two matches. The Dutch are already top of Pool E with six points and a goal difference of +4, while England and Argentina have three points each with goal differences of zero. India have zero points and a -4 goal difference after conceding seven goals and scoring three. For example, if India beat Argentina 3-1 and England lose 0-3 to the Netherlands, India would finish ahead of England on goal difference and eliminate Argentina. If India win 3-1 and England lose 1-3, both would have identical goals scored and conceded, meaning the field-goal tie-break could come into play.
However, England’s defeat to Argentina later in the day opened a narrow route to the last four. A two-goal victory would give India three points and allow them to move above Argentina on goals scored, provided the relevant goal-difference calculations remain level. A victory by more than two goals would give India the advantage on goal difference. The Netherlands would top the pool with nine points, leaving India second. Some results could produce further tie-break complications.
India must beat Argentina by at least two goals in their final Pool E match on Monday.