India Finish 8th at Hockey World Cup After Belgium Win Shootout 4-3

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India finished eighth at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 after Belgium edged them 4-3 in a shootout following a 3-3 draw in the 7th-8th place playoff in Wavre on Friday.

Abhishek gave India an early lead before Belgium struck twice through Roman Duvekot and Hugo Labouchere to lead 2-1 at half-time. Harmanpreet Singh equalised with a penalty-corner drag-flick after the break, but Nicolas de Kerpel restored Belgium’s advantage in the final quarter. India earned a penalty corner with just 26 seconds remaining, and Harmanpreet converted to force a shootout.

Belgium goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch denied Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet Singh, while Abhishek scored for India. Harmanpreet finished the tournament with eight goals, joint-top of the scoring charts.

Sahir Usman

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