New Delhi: India finished eighth at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 after Belgium edged them 4-3 on penalties in a classification match at Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium, on Friday.
The match ended 3-3 after regulation time, with India scoring in the final seconds to force the shootout. Belgium eventually held their nerve to secure seventh place, according to reports.
Abhishek Nain gave India an early lead in the sixth minute after Manpreet Singh created the opening. Belgium responded through Roman Duvekot in the 22nd minute before Hugo Labouchere converted a penalty corner a minute later.
India levelled soon after the half-time break when captain Harmanpreet Singh scored from a penalty corner in the 31st minute.
Belgium appeared to regain the lead through a penalty corner in the third quarter, but the goal was disallowed after India successfully referred the decision.
The hosts eventually moved ahead again in the final quarter. Arthur de Kerpel scored after the ball deflected off an Indian defender and bounced beyond goalkeeper Mohith.
India then made a late tactical push by replacing goalkeeper Karkera with an additional outfield player. The move produced results as India won a penalty corner with just 26 seconds remaining.
Harmanpreet converted once again to make it 3-3 and send the match into a shootout. Belgium, however, finished stronger to claim the victory.
Despite the eighth-place finish, Harmanpreet ended the tournament among the leading scorers. His eight goals put him level with Argentina’s Tomás Domene at the top of the scoring chart with one day of the competition remaining.
