England National Teams
13 July 2026
England’s road to the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026 is officially underway, with the announcement of the women’s and men’s squads that will take on the world’s best from 15–30 August.
With both World Cups staged side-by-side in the Netherlands and Belgium, the tournament promises a fortnight of elite international hockey, high-stakes matches and standout moments as the sport’s leading nations compete for global honours.
England’s men begin their campaign against Pakistan at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Saturday 15 August, while England’s women open against South Africa at the same venue on Sunday 16 August.
Both squads feature a blend of World Cup experience and exciting talent, with captains Flora Peel and Lily Walker named in the women’s squad and Zach Wallace named captain of the men’s squad.
In the women’s squad, Lily Owsley will be competing at her fourth World Cup after achieving 150 England caps at the London leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League. Olympic medallist Hannah French makes her return to the squad after rupturing her ACL at the end of 2025.
Phil Roper, Jack Waller and Liam Sanford will all be competing at their third World Cup. Nick Bandurak has also been selected for his second World Cup. He was the team’s top goalscorer through the FIH Hockey Pro League with 10 goals and he finished in fourth place in the overall rankings.
Women’s squad
Player
Squad no.
Alice Atkinson
39
Grace Balsdon
31
Lottie Bingham
44
Darcy Bourne
2
Fiona Crackles
21
Katie Curtis
18
Hannah French
7
Sophie Hamilton
23
Sabbie Heesh
25
Tess Howard
14
Holly Hunt
11
Lizzie Neal
22
Lily Owsley
26
Flora Peel (C)
28
Miriam Pritchard
40
Ellie Rayer
13
Martha Taylor
30
Amy Thompson
10
Anna Toman
6
Lily Walker (C)
4
Men’s squad
Player
Squad no.
James Albery
14
Nick Bandurak
23
Will Calnan
31
Henry Croft
9
Ben Fox
47
James Gall
26
David Goodfield
19
Sam Hooper
33
James Mazarelo
16
Tim Nurse
18
Nick Park
2
Ollie Payne
20
Phil Roper
15
Stuart Rushmere
17
Liam Sanford
27
Tom Sorsby
5
Zach Wallace (C)
7
Jack Waller
3
Sam Ward
13
Conor Williamson
30
England Hockey
