The FIH Hockey Pro League 2025-26 season is set to kick off in Rourkela, India, with the Indian men’s team facing tough competition from Belgium and Argentina in a mini-tournament at the Birsa Munda Stadium. The hosts will open their campaign against the former world and Olympic champions, Belgium.
As the teams gear up for the tournament, the Netherlands currently lead the points table with 15 points, closely followed by England with an equal number of points. Argentina is placed fourth with 11 points from five games, while Pakistan sits at the bottom having lost all five of their matches.
Belgium, guided by coach Shane McLeod, have won four out of their five Pro League matches so far and are currently third on the league ladder. They recently defeated Argentina 5-3 in Rourkela, with Tom Boon showcasing his goal-scoring prowess by netting a hat-trick.
Players like Roman Duvakot and Alexander Hendrickx will pose a threat to the Indian team, who will be missing goalkeeper Krishan B Pathak. The Indian forward line will have to contend with the likes of Arthur van Doren at the back and Loic in goal for Belgium.
Although Belgium has a better head-to-head record against India in recent years, the match promises to be a thrilling encounter in Rourkela.
The India vs Belgium match in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2025-26 will take place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST in Rourkela.
With key players like Boon and Hendrickx in form, India’s defence will be tested, especially in the absence of Pathak. Harmanpreet Singh’s performance from penalty corners will be crucial for India, while Amandeep Lakra’s inclusion remains to be seen.
The match is expected to be closely contested, with India having the advantage of playing in front of a passionate home crowd. The prediction for the match is India 3-2 Belgium.
Indian fans can catch the FIH Hockey Pro League matches live on JioHotstar, with India’s matches also being broadcast on Star Sports Khel.
In conclusion, the India vs Belgium match is set to be a thrilling encounter with both teams looking to make a mark in the FIH Pro League.
