From 15 to 30 August, the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre and the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen welcomed 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams chasing the same ambition: to become world champions. After two weeks of competition, Germany successfully defended the men’s title, while Argentina ended a 16-year wait for the women’s crown.

Team Germany make the decisive moment count

The men’s final in Wavre was a test of patience and composure. Spain put Germany under pressure, but goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg kept the scores level with a series of important saves.

The breakthrough came late in the third quarter. Michel Struthoff moved across the goalmouth and finished to give Germany the lead—a moment that ultimately separated the two sides. Germany held on for a 1–0 victory, securing their fourth World Cup title and defending the crown they had won in 2023.

Argentina take gold after a tense finish

At the Wagener Stadium, Argentina faced the Netherlands with the home crowd behind the defending champions. The Dutch took the lead shortly before half-time, leaving Argentina chasing the game as the final minutes approached.

With six minutes remaining, María Granatto reacted to a penalty-corner rebound and scored the equaliser. At 1–1 after regulation time, the world title would be decided by a shootout.

Argentina held their nerve, winning the shootout 3–1 to claim their first women’s World Cup title since 2010. Earlier that day, Belgium had secured women’s bronze with a 1–0 victory over Australia.

The surface behind the action

Those decisive moments belong to the players. Behind the action, the playing surface has its own job to do: support the speed, precision and technical demands of international hockey.

At both World Cup venues, that surface was Polytan’s Poligras Paris GT zero, originally developed for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Its Turf Glide Technology reduces surface friction, supporting fast ball roll and the quick passing exchanges that define the game at this level.

For Polytan, delivering the World Cup pitches brought product development, manufacturing and installation together. Four competition and warm-up pitches were installed across the two host venues, providing the surfaces on which teams prepared and competed throughout the tournament.

A familiar stage, a new chapter

The 2026 edition marked the tenth Hockey World Cup played on Polytan’s Poligras hockey turf. At the Wagener Stadium, it was the third—a return to one of hockey’s most recognisable venues, alongside Belgium’s new Belfius Hockey Arena.

Two different settings, united by the same intensity on the pitch. We congratulate Germany and Argentina on their world titles and are proud to have helped set the stage for the players, teams and moments that made this World Cup.

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