Pakistan’s 2026 FIH Men's World Cup next-round chances look dicey after 3-3 draw with Wales

Pakistan’s journey in the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup took another blow after they were held to a 3-3 draw by Wales, following a 4-1 defeat to England in their opening Pool D encounter on August 15.

England and India currently lead Pool D with three points each, while Wales and Pakistan have one point apiece.

The 12th-ranked Green Shirts struggled to convert their penalty corners and were repeatedly tested by Wales’ quick attacks.

Pakistan surrender early lead

Pakistan dominated the opening quarter, with Abdul Rehman producing brilliant stick work from the left flank before finding the net to put his side 1-0 ahead within five minutes.

Wales hit back in the second quarter, with Sufyan Khan’s yellow card leaving Pakistan a player short. The Welsh side capitalised, scoring twice within two minutes.

Gareth Furlong levelled the contest through a powerful penalty-corner strike before Wales moved ahead with a field goal to take a 2-1 lead into half-time.

Pakistan continued to struggle with their finishing in the third quarter, with Abu Bakar missing a penalty corner and Hammad failing to get the final touch on an open goal.

Late comeback not enough

Pakistan turned the game around early in the final quarter when Sufyan Khan converted a penalty corner to make it 2-2.

A minute later, Rana Waheed created a brilliant move down the left before Hannan Shahid finished it off to put Pakistan 3-2 ahead.

But Wales responded six minutes before the final whistle to level the contest at 3-3 and leave Pakistan’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Pakistan now face arch-rivals India on August 19 in their final Pool D match. They will need a big win and favourable results elsewhere to keep their hopes of reaching the next stage alive.