The International Hockey Federation has taken a landmark step toward inclusivity in world sport, announcing the inaugural FIH Para Hockey World Cup and extending a historic invitation to USA Field Hockey to participate in the groundbreaking event.

The tournament, scheduled for August 21-25, 2026, will be staged across two prestigious European venues: HC Myra in Amstelveen, Netherlands, and Louvain-La-Neuve HC in Belgium. It marks the first time in the sport's long and storied history that a Para Hockey World Cup will take place under the FIH banner, opening a new chapter for athletes with disabilities on the international stage.

The 6-a-side format promises fast-paced, tactical action that will showcase the skill and determination of para athletes from around the globe. For USA Field Hockey, the invitation represents both an honor and a challenge, as the organization now faces the task of assembling a competitive squad capable of making a statement at the sport's newest showpiece event.

The decision by the FIH to launch a dedicated Para Hockey World Cup has been widely praised across the hockey community. For decades, advocates have pushed for greater representation and opportunity for athletes with disabilities within the sport's global framework. This tournament is the culmination of years of grassroots development, pilot programs, and lobbying efforts by national federations and disability sport organizations alike.

Amstelveen, one of the host cities, is no stranger to world-class hockey. The Dutch city has long been a heartland of the sport, home to elite clubs and passionate fans who regularly fill stadiums for domestic and international competition. Pairing it with Louvain-La-Neuve in Belgium gives the tournament a cross-border dimension that underscores its ambition to reach as wide an audience as possible.

While the Para Hockey World Cup represents the future of the sport, the present continues to deliver compelling action on the international circuit. The recently concluded FIH Pro League leg in Hobart, Australia, produced standout performances and cautionary tales in equal measure. China's women were the undisputed stars of the Tasmanian capital, sweeping all three of their matches in dominant fashion and sending a clear signal to their rivals ahead of the rest of the season.

On the men's side, India endured a difficult campaign in Hobart, failing to win a single match in regulation time across four outings. The Indian men conceded 19 goals while managing just five at the other end, a stark contrast to the standards expected of a team with such pedigree. The results will prompt serious reflection within the Indian camp as the Pro League season continues.

Yet it is the Para Hockey World Cup announcement that will resonate most deeply as 2026 unfolds. The event has the potential to inspire a new generation of athletes and fans, proving that field hockey is a sport for everyone regardless of physical ability. National federations around the world will now be watching closely, assessing their own para hockey programs and considering how best to prepare for what promises to be a festival of sport and inclusion.

For USA Field Hockey, the road to Amstelveen and Louvain-La-Neuve begins now. With roughly six months to prepare, the organization has a unique opportunity to build something lasting, not just a team, but a movement that could transform the landscape of para sport in America for years to come.