The Kookaburras, Australia’s men’s national hockey team, have once again stamped their authority on the global stage. By finishing at the top of the 2023–24 FIH Pro League standings, Australia became one of the first teams to secure direct qualification for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, which will be hosted jointly by Belgium and the Netherlands in August 2026.
The Kookaburras delivered strong performances across the season, defeating top-ranked opponents like Germany, India, and Argentina.Known for their aggressive style, Australia finished as one of the highest goal-scoring teams in the league and With experienced defenders and world-class goalkeeping, they maintained a solid record against high-pressure attacks.
Following their Pro League success, Australia continued their winning momentum at the 2025 Men’s Oceania Cup in Darwin. Facing New Zealand in a three-match series, the Kookaburras delivered commanding performances: Australia won all 3 matches against New Zealand With results of 2-0 at game 1 , 4-1 at game 2 and 4-1 at game 3.
Australia has a rich history at the Men’s Hockey World Cup, including:3-time World Champions (1986, 2010, 2014),5-time runners-up and Consistent presence in the semifinals across multiple editions.With their qualification secured, the Kookaburras will aim to add another World Cup title to their storied legacy. FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 will run from 14–30 August 2026, hosted in Amstelveen (Netherlands) and Wavre (Belgium). The Kookaburras will join other early qualifiers including Belgium (host),Netherlands (host), Spain (Pro League),Argentina (Pan American Cup) and Germany (EuroHockey Championship)
Australia’s qualification for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 reaffirms their status as one of hockey’s most dominant forces. With their trademark blend of speed, skill, and determination, the Kookaburras will be among the top contenders when the world’s best teams gather in Belgium and the Netherlands.
This is such an inspiring read! The Kookaburras dominant performance in the Pro League and their convincing victory over New Zealand truly highlight their status as hockey giants. They deserve every bit of praise and are definitely one of the teams to watch at the World Cup. What a great foundation for the upcoming tournament!volleyball