Argentina men’s hockey team gears up for FIH Hockey World Cup 2026
Argentina’s path to the World Cup
The Argentina men’s national hockey team, known as Los Leones, is preparing for its 15th FIH Hockey World Cup campaign. The team secured its spot in the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 by finishing first in the Pan American Cup 2025 held in Montevideo, Uruguay. This victory marked their fifth triumph in the Pan American Cup.
During the Pan American Cup 2025, Argentina displayed strong form, achieving five consecutive victories. The team scored 47 goals while conceding only one throughout the tournament. Tomas Domene was a standout player, earning both the Player of the Tournament and Top Scorer awards with 13 goals. His goals included seven from open play and six from penalty corners.
The team’s head coach, Lucas Rey, guided Los Leones to the Pan American Cup title and subsequent World Cup qualification. Lucas Rey, an Olympic gold medallist from Rio 2016 and the elder brother of captain Matias Rey, had a successful first year in charge. He previously led the team to a mid-table finish in the FIH Hockey Pro League.
Key players and recent performances
The current Argentina squad features several notable players. Tomas Domene, who was the leading scorer in the 2025-26 FIH Hockey Pro League, is considered a key player to watch. His ability to score from both open play and penalty corners makes him a constant threat. Defender Nicolas Della Torre and goalkeeper Tomas Santiago were both shortlisted for the 2025 FIH Hockey Stars Awards. Della Torre was nominated for Player of the Year, while Santiago was nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year. Della Torre also contributed significantly to the Pan American Cup win, scoring 10 goals.
The team is captained by Matias Rey, a 41-year-old defender-midfielder. Rey, also an Olympic gold medallist from Rio 2016, has made over 325 international appearances and is set to participate in his sixth FIH Hockey World Cup. His experience and leadership are vital for the squad.
In the FIH Hockey Pro League, Los Leones secured a solid mid-table position, achieving notable victories against teams such as the Netherlands, Pakistan (twice), and Australia. They also recorded two away wins against India at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. In one match, Domene scored four goals in an 8-0 victory, while in another, Tadeo Marcucci scored twice in a 4-2 win.
Tournament format and expectations
The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, will feature a new competition format. Both the men’s and women’s tournaments will include 16 teams, initially divided into four pools. The tournament will commence with a Pool Stage from 15 to 20 August, where each team will play three matches within its pool.
Following the Pool Stage, teams will be re-grouped into four new crossover pools from 21 to 24 August. The results from the initial phase, specifically the head-to-head outcome between progressing teams from the same pool, will carry forward. The top two teams from two of these crossover pools will then advance directly to the semi-finals, bypassing a quarter-final stage. The semi-finals are scheduled for 27-28 August, with the medal matches taking place on 29-30 August.
This revised format places a strong emphasis on performance in the initial pool games, as highlighted by coaches. The importance of goal difference and defensive discipline throughout the pool stage will be crucial for teams aiming to progress to the later stages of the competition. The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 is set to begin on 15 August.
Source: fih.hockey
