Los Leones to compete in 2026 Hockey World Cup in Netherlands and Belgium

Los Leones, Argentina's men's national field hockey team, are set to compete in their 15th World Cup, an event scheduled from August 15 to 30 in the Netherlands and Belgium. The tournament will feature 16 national teams and a new competition format.

Argentina has been placed in Group A, with all their initial stage matches taking place at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands. Their campaign begins on Sunday, August 16, against Japan. Two days later, they will face the host nation, considered one of the tournament favorites. Their final group match is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, against New Zealand.

Coach Lucas Rey acknowledged the challenging nature of their group but expressed optimism about the team's readiness. "We trained to give an extra edge that other teams don't have, and we are ready to compete," Rey stated. He noted Japan's physical strength, highlighted by their performance in the Nations Cup, the significance of playing against the Dutch on home soil, and the well-known competitive "oceanic DNA" of New Zealand.

Captain Matías Rey shared insights into the team's rigorous preparation. "These were tough weeks, with a lot of training, double sessions, a training camp in Rosario, and friendly matches," he said. The squad aims to align with the coaching staff's vision and strategy for the tournament. The full squad includes players like Maico Casella and Tomás Habif, with several reserves also named.