England Beat Pakistan 4-1 on Their World Cup Return
Pakistan, playing their first World Cup since 2018 after failing to qualify in 2023, lost their Pool D opener to England at Amstelveen. They face Wales on August 17 and India on August 19.
By Frontpage.devAugust 16, 2026 · 7:43 am PKT · 1 min read
(Geo News)
England beat Pakistan 4-1 in their FIH World Cup Pool D match at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen (Geo News; Express Tribune; The News).
England led early and stayed ahead across all four quarters. Stuart Rushmere opened the scoring in the 12th minute, Sam Ward doubled the lead in the second quarter, Samuel Hooper made it three in the 31st and James Albery added a fourth in the 47th. Rehman Abdul Afraz pulled one back for Pakistan in the 50th.
Pakistan’s defence was under sustained pressure, with England winning several penalty corners. Pakistan created chances of their own, including two penalty corners, but converted neither — the recurring weakness in a side whose set-piece conversion once defined it.
The context matters more than the scoreline. This is Pakistan’s first World Cup appearance since 2018, having failed to qualify for the 2023 edition — an absence that would once have been unthinkable for a team that has won the tournament four times, more than any other nation.
Tom Sorsby was named player of the match.
Pakistan face Wales on August 17 and India on August 19.
