England beat Pakistan in final

World Cup Hockey qualifiers
CAIRO
In a highly anticipated clash at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Ismailia, Egypt, England defeated Pakistan 4-1 in the final match on March 7, 2026. England, ranked No. 4 in the world, lived up to expectations by overpowering Pakistan, who sit at No. 12, securing the tournament’s gold medal and capping a dominant run.The match, played at the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium, saw England assert control progressively.
They opened the scoring in the second quarter through Henry Croft’s field goal, leading 1-0 at halftime. England extended their advantage in the third quarter, reaching 3-1, before sealing the victory with a fourth goal in the final stages via Ben Fox. Pakistan managed a consolation goal but struggled to convert chances against England’s disciplined defense and clinical finishing.
Sam Hooper of England earned Player of the Match honors for his brace, highlighting their superior execution. While the result aligned with pre-match predictions—given England’s higher ranking and consistent form—the defeat marked Pakistan’s first loss in the tournament after an otherwise impressive campaign.
Pakistan had already qualified for the main FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, set to take place in August 2026 in the Netherlands and Belgium (co-hosted in Wavre and Amstelveen), by reaching the final. Qualification was secured earlier through their semi-final win over Japan (4-3), alongside England’s emphatic 7-1 victory over Malaysia.
Throughout the qualifiers, Pakistan demonstrated strong performances, winning four matches and showing resilience. Their victories, including key wins over China and Malaysia, propelled them up the FIH world rankings from No. 14 to No. 12, boosting their points from 2,033 to 2,326.
This climb reflects improved consistency and competitiveness on the global stage, even as they faced a tougher opponent in the final.