India win gold at ball hockey World Championship Group B to qualify for elite division

In a major achievement for Indian ball hockey, Team India defeated France on Sunday to win the gold medal in the ISBHF World Championship 2026 Group B. The win helps India advance to the elite level of the tournament where they will lock horns with the best teams of ball hockey like the United States and Canada.

India were the best team in Group B throughout the tournament with their defence and offence both standing out. The team reportedly consisted of several Indian diaspora players of the United States and Canada.

France vs India final

The final between India and France started on a rough note as a scrum ensued early on following some poking by the Indian goalie. Putting it behind, India settled into the game nicely and scored two goals in the first period. India continued their good form in the second period with two goals early on to quadruple the lead.

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A slashing call against India gave France its first real chance in this game to get on the board. Even strength was a constant uphill battle for France, never attacking, always facing counterattacks and shots in their zone. Another penalty for slashing on India gave France a 5-on-3 PP a few seconds later. Some beautiful passing on the power play by France led to their first goal. This PP was the first time they looked like a team competing for a gold medal. They still had the 5-on-4 PP left, and again they scored, turning up the energy and looking like the team that reached the gold medal game after several comeback victories.

The momentum soon died down when India scored shortly after France’s PP. The rest of the game was all Team India. Two more goals in the second period gave them a 7-2 lead for the last period of the game. A quiet third period and a scoreline out of reach ended the game 7-2. India takes Men’s B Pool gold.

India were dominant in the competition with successive wins over Austria, France, Cayman Islands, Great Britain and Germany. India then defeated Austria in the semifinal before crushing France in the final to win gold.