Goa, Aug. 23 -- India's hopes of reaching the semifinals of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026 remain alive, but only through a narrow and complicated route after their 1-3 defeat to the Netherlands. The result left Craig Fulton's side at the bottom of Pool E without a point from two matches. However, Argentina's 3-1 victory over England has kept India mathematically in contention.

India now face a must-win clash against Argentina in their final Pool E match on Monday. To keep their semifinal hopes alive, India need to win by at least two goals. A two-goal victory would give India three points and could move them above Argentina, depending on the goal-scoring and goal-difference calculations. A victory by more than two goals would give ...