Ireland Names Men’s and Women’s Squads for 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup Campaigns

Ireland has officially announced its men’s and women’s squads for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, with both teams preparing to compete against some of the world’s strongest nations as they chase success on the international stage in Wavre, Belgium.

The Irish men’s team returns to the Hockey World Cup for the first time since 2018 after securing qualification earlier this year with impressive playoff victories. Head coach Mark Tumilty has selected a balanced squad that combines experienced internationals with emerging young talent as Ireland looks to make a strong impact in the tournament.

Goalkeeping responsibilities will be shared by Jaime Carr and Luke Roleston, while captain Kyle Marshall leads a defensive unit featuring Mark McNellis, Peter McKibbin, Lee Cole, Fearghus Gibson, Gregory Williams and Sam Hyland. The midfield will be anchored by Sean Murray and Peter Brown, supported by Johnny McKee, Adam McAllister and Luke Witherow.

Ireland’s attacking lineup includes experienced forward Jeremy Duncan, who is set to reach the milestone of 150 senior international appearances during the group stage. He will be joined by Matthew Nelson, Ben Walker, Louis Rowe, Jonny Lynch and Ali Empey as Ireland aims to challenge some of the tournament favorites.

Ranked 10th in the world, Ireland has been drawn into a difficult Pool C alongside fourth-ranked Australia, sixth-ranked Spain and South Africa, currently ranked 12th globally. The Irish side will need a top-two finish in the group to advance into the next stage of the competition and keep its hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s women’s team also enters the tournament with confidence after earning qualification through a successful playoff victory earlier this year. Head coach Gareth Grundie has selected a squad that blends experienced internationals with several promising young players who have impressed during recent international competitions.

Lizzy Murphy has been entrusted with goalkeeping duties after playing a crucial role in Ireland’s qualification campaign. Veteran goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran was unavailable for selection because of injury, giving Murphy an opportunity to establish herself on the biggest stage in international hockey.

The defensive line will be built around experienced players including Roisin Upton, Hannah McLoughlin and Caoimhe Perdue, with Sarah McAuley, Ellen Curran, Lisa Mulcahy and Lena Neill providing additional depth and versatility across the backline.

Captain Sarah Hawkshaw will lead Ireland’s midfield alongside Charlotte Beggs, while Michelle Carey, Christina Hamill and Mia Jennings add creativity and energy through the center of the pitch.

In attack, Irish hockey legend Katie Mullan will once again spearhead the forward line alongside Sarah Torrans and Mikayla Power, who will join the squad after completing her commitments at the EuroHockey Under-21 Championship. Aishling Utri, who recently switched her international allegiance from Australia to Ireland, has also earned selection after an impressive start to her Irish hockey career. Niamh Carey and Emily Kealy complete the attacking options.

Ireland’s women, ranked 12th in the world, face another demanding challenge after being placed in Pool C alongside world number three Belgium, sixth-ranked Spain and 10th-ranked New Zealand. The group promises highly competitive matches as Ireland seeks to progress into the knockout stages.

The upcoming tournament represents an important opportunity for both Irish teams to strengthen their position among the world’s leading hockey nations. The men’s squad hopes to mark its return to the World Cup with a memorable campaign, while the women’s team aims to build on its recent international progress against elite opposition.

Both squads enter the competition with a mixture of experienced campaigners and exciting young talent, reflecting the continued growth of Irish hockey at the international level. Strong performances in Belgium could further enhance Ireland’s reputation as an emerging force in world hockey and provide valuable momentum for future international competitions.

Courtesy: rte