India finishes eighth at FIH Hockey World Cup after shootout loss to Belgium

India finished eighth at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup following a 3-4 penalty shoot-out defeat to co-hosts Belgium in the seventh-place playoff. The match at the Belfius Hockey Arena ended in a 3-3 draw during regulation time.

India took an early lead in the sixth minute through Abhishek, but Belgium responded with goals from Roman Duvekot and Hugo Labouchere. Harmanpreet Singh equalized for India with a penalty corner in the 31st minute. Although Belgium appeared to retake the lead via Alexander Hendrickx, the goal was overturned following a successful Indian challenge. Belgium eventually regained the lead through Nicolas de Kerpel in the fourth quarter.

With less than three minutes remaining, India substituted their goalkeeper for an extra outfield player. This tactical move resulted in a penalty corner with 26 seconds left, which Harmanpreet Singh converted to force the shoot-out. In the shoot-out, Belgium's Tom Boon, Arthur de Sloover, and Alexander Hendrickx converted their attempts, while Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh were denied. Belgium secured seventh place, while India's tournament concluded in eighth.