And yet, the 10,000-capacity Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, is sold out for Wednesday’s Pool D clash at the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, with a place in the next round at stake in what has become a do-or-die contest. Just like in cricket, the numbers behind hockey’s greatest rivalry do not quite do justice to the hype that has endured through the decades.
India won Olympic gold eight times and lifted the World Cup in 1975, while Pakistan claimed three Olympic titles and a record four World Cups. India’s biggest triumph during that era came in the 1975 World Cup final, when they beat Pakistan 2-1 to win their only men’s World Cup title. India have scored 10 goals across those victories, while Pakistan have scored seven. The last World Cup meeting came in 2010, when India beat Pakistan 4-1 in New Delhi. Pakistan failed to qualify for the 2014 and 2023 editions, while the two sides did not face each other at the 2018 World Cup. India began their campaign with a 3-1 win over Wales, but came crashing down against a stronger England side, losing 1-4 after conceding three goals in the second half. Pakistan, meanwhile, lost 1-4 to England before being held to a 3-3 draw by Wales.
The story of India and Pakistan in hockey, however, has been vastly different from that in cricket. Both teams have endured similar struggles after once standing at the pinnacle of the sport. But Pakistan enjoyed greater overall success, winning four World Cups and eight Asian Games gold medals. The two sides have met five times at the Hockey World Cup, with India winning three and Pakistan two. The neighbours have not met at the tournament since. That leaves India with three points from two matches, while Pakistan have just one. India need at least a draw to secure progression, whereas Pakistan must win to keep their World Cup campaign alive. England have already booked their place in the next round after winning both their matches.
