Tuesday, July 16: Hockey Ireland is delighted to announce that it has accepted an invitation to compete at the inaugural FIH Para Hockey World Cup, which will take place from 21–25 August 2026 across Belgium and the Netherlands.
The landmark event will be the first-ever FIH Para Hockey World Cup for athletes with Intellectual Disabilities, marking a significant milestone in the continued growth and development of Para Hockey on the international stage.
The tournament will be hosted across HC Myra in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, and Louvain-La-Neuve Hockey Club in Belgium, with the finals taking place at the iconic Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen and Belfius Hockey Arena in Belgium, alongside the FIH Hockey World Cup.
The Ireland HockeyID Team has been drawn in Pool A, with all of their group stage fixtures taking place in Belgium. The squad will compete alongside the Ireland Women’s and Men’s national teams, creating a unique opportunity for all three senior Irish sides to represent the country together at hockey’s biggest global event.
Ireland’s opponents in Pool A will be Pakistan, Belgium, France, Germany, Zambia, Italy, and the United States.
Ireland’s participation comes after the team received a late invitation following the withdrawal of Paraguay from the competition. Hockey Ireland was delighted to accept the opportunity, ensuring the players will have the chance to compete at the highest level on the world stage.
The organisation would also like to acknowledge the outstanding support of Park Developments, title sponsor of Hockey4All and longstanding sponsor of the Ireland Women’s Hockey Team. Park Developments has provided vital financial support to make Ireland’s participation possible, enabling the Ireland HockeyID Team to travel to Belgium and compete at this historic event.
The invitation represents another significant milestone for the Ireland HockeyID Team, building on the squad’s memorable participation at the 2025 EuroHockey ID Championships in Mönchengladbach, Germany. That tournament provided players with an invaluable opportunity to represent Ireland internationally, and the inaugural FIH Para Hockey World Cup offers the chance to continue that journey on an even bigger stage.
Speaking at the announcement, Hockey Ireland CEO Richard Fahey said:
“We are absolutely thrilled that the Ireland HockeyID Team will have the opportunity to compete at the inaugural FIH Para Hockey World Cup. To be part of the first edition of what will undoubtedly become a landmark event for our sport is incredibly special, and it is a fitting reward for a group of players and staff whose commitment, passion and pride in representing Ireland continues to inspire everyone involved in our Hockey4All programme.”
“We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Park Developments for their incredible support in making this opportunity possible. Their longstanding commitment to Hockey Ireland and, in particular, to our Hockey4All programme continues to have a meaningful impact on the lives of our participants. Their generosity in stepping forward to support the team’s participation ensures our players can realise their dream of competing on the world stage, and we are immensely grateful for their partnership.”
Jilly Cotter, Director at Park Developments said:
“Having sponsored the National Hockey ID team for the past 3 years, we have witnessed the programme go from strength to strength. Reaching the Para Hockey World Cup this August is a testament to the commitment and hard work of the players, their families, and everyone involved. Park are very proud to extend our sponsorship and support the team to compete at the highest level of international competition. We look forward to cheering them on alongside our senior women’s and men’s teams.”
Preparations are already underway as the Ireland HockeyID Team looks forward to representing Ireland at the first-ever FIH Para Hockey World Cup and showcasing the continued growth of Para Hockey in Ireland on the global stage.
The team’s participation reflects Hockey Ireland’s continued commitment to creating opportunities for players of all abilities to represent their country, while supporting the growth of an inclusive game where everyone has the chance to thrive.
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