2026 FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier review

England’s men produced an outstanding campaign at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Ismailia, Egypt, securing qualification in style by winning the tournament and delivering a series of dominant performances.

England played an excellent group stage, conceding no goals and achieving maximum points. They opened with a commanding 5–0 victory over Japan, followed by a 3–0 win over host nation Egypt before acquiring three points following the withdrawal of the United States, topping their group with a perfect record.

The knockout phase continued the momentum. England produced one of their most emphatic displays of the tournament in the semi-final, thrashing Malaysia 7–1 to confirm their place at the 2026 World Cup.

In the final, England faced Pakistan and completed the job with a 4–1 victory, with goals including a deflected opener from Henry Croft and a decisive penalty-corner double from Sam Hooper, before Ben Fox sealed the win late on.

Beyond the results, the tournament also featured several significant individual milestones for England:

- Sam Ward reached 150 combined international goals for England and Great Britain. 
- Jack Waller and Zach Wallace both celebrated 150 combined caps for England and Great Britain.
- Stuart Rushmere achieved his 50th England cap.

England’s success on the pitch was also reflected in the individual honours, with Tom Sorsby named Player of the Tournament after a series of influential performances in midfield.