"VAN" (Sports Desk - 09.03.2026) :: On the final day of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifier in Santiago, Chile, the Wales men and Ireland women won their bronze matches to lock down World Cup qualification.
For results on the women’s side, Chile finished first, taking down Australia for a second time in front of the home crowd.
Ireland qualified for the World Cup with a thrilling shootout victory over Japan. With the fourth-place finish, Japan will await the results of the qualifier in Hyderabad, India, as the highest ranked fourth place finisher will also qualify.
Switzerland finished at seventh place after defeating Canada 2-1. France claimed fifth with a shutout over Malaysia.
As for the men, Ireland claimed first place after overcoming France, 2-1. Wales rounded over the list of men’s teams headed to the World Cup by defeating Poland.
(Women’s) Canada 1 – 2 Switzerland
Switzerland finished out on a positive note, garnering its first win of the tournament and the seventh-place spot after defeating Canada.
Canada had the first set piece chance of the match, but Switzerland had the first goal—tallying it in the 25th minute mark after Nele Pöhler tapped in a penalty corner.
The Swiss held the lead at halftime, but it didn’t last long. Canada’s Kenzie Girgis equalized off a pass from Nicole Poulakis in the first few minutes of the third frame. Soon after, Elena Trösch put Switzerland back on top with a set piece conversion. That goal would be all that Switzerland needed for the 2-1 victory.
Switzerland’s Leonor Berlie was named player of the match. “I think we needed that,” said Berlie. “Because we gave everything at every game and it feels really rewarding to end with a win.”
(Women’s) France 3 – 0 Malaysia
France had a fast start, seeing Emma van der Zanden put in a rebounded shot within the first minute of play. Malaysia played out the rest of the quarter a bit timid, letting France dominate the offensive chances.
Malaysia came out looking a bit more energized in the second half, but France managed to double their lead in the third quarter with a penalty corner finished by Mazarine Proux. There would be one final goal for France in the final quarter, a second from van der Zanden. The France defensive line kept Malaysia off the board for the full 60-minutes, winning 3-0.
France captain Emma Ponthieu was bid farewell after playing her final match.
France’s Yohanna Lhopital was named player of the match and said: “It’s incredible to finish like that.”
(Men’s) Poland 1 – 2 Wales
It was euphoria for Wales after securing World Cup qualification with a 2-1 victory over Poland.
Wales struck first in the 22nd minute, when Poland gave up a penalty corner. Gareth Furlong was up to the task, sending a rocket into the corner of the cage to give Wales the lead. He did not hesitate again when Wales earned a second set piece five minutes later, hitting the opposite corner and putting his team up 2-0 heading into halftime.
Early in the third, the game saw the first penalty corner not converted, this time an attempt from Poland. A second set piece chance from Poland to end the quarter was defended as well, as was a third opportunity from Wales.
Poland had a tough task in the final 15 minutes to find two goals, but it did not shy away. It was a huge moment for Poland when Maksymillian Koperski put away the first goal on the penalty corner, but despite another chance, Poland could not find the indispensable second goal.
Jacob Draper of Wales was named player of the match. “Tournament hockey is a crazy thing, it’s so unpredictable,” said Draper. “If you asked me if we were going to the World Cup a week ago, I’d have told you absolutely no chance…I’m over the moon, I’m so speechless. It’s the work that the guys have done away from the tournament, that makes this tournament so good.”
(Men’s) France 1 – 2 Ireland
Despite both being through to the World Cup, France and Ireland were hungry for the glory of a first-place finish.
The first three penalty corners of the match were all converted. The opening goal came from France’s Louis Haertelmeyer, but Gregory Williams of Ireland equalized shortly after. Ireland’s second and final set piece of the match came in minute 26, and Williams put it away again to the team up 2-1.
France pushed hard for that second goal, but were unable to find it, despite a trio of penalty corner chances in the final minutes.
Ireland’s Jamie Carr was named player of the match. “It was amazing to get the job done yesterday,” said Carr. “To qualify for the World Cup, that put some demons to bed. And today, obviously it doesn’t count for anything on paper, but obviously playing a nation like France, it’s always going to be a difficult game.”
(Women’s) Japan 0 – 0 (1 – 3 SO) Ireland
An unstoppable force met an immovable object when Japan and Ireland faced off in the bronze match.
After a first quarter that belonged to Ireland, Japan picked up the pace in the second. The two teams were on par with each other, not allowing a single goal to be scored.
In the final two minutes, a scramble in front of the goal cage ended in a goal for Ireland, but upon an umpire self-referral, the call was amended to be a free hit out for Japan. With ten seconds remaining, Ireland won a set piece, but it was defended, and the match headed to shootouts.
The first round was a draw, as Ireland captain Sarah Hawkshaw and Japan’s Shiho Kobayakawa both put it away.
Ireland was up 2-1 after the second round, with a tally from Hannah McLoughlin. Japan’s Miyu Hasegawa was stopped by Elizabeth Murphy in goal.
The tally stayed the same after the third, with both team’s attempts not made. In the fourth round, Ireland’s Jessica McMaster made it 3-1, and Murphy made the save, sending Ireland to the World Cup.
Japan’s captain Amiru Shimada earned her 100th cap.
Ireland goalkeeper Elizabeth Murphy was honored as player of the match. “It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Murphy. “This group have worked so hard to get there, and it’s not only the 20 players here, it’s the 30 of the squad that are at home. We’ve pushed, we’ve had a tough year, and we’ve just kept building.”
(Women’s) Chile 1 – 0 Australia
A first quarter goal from Chile made all the difference, propelling it to a 1-0 win over Australia and a gold medal.
The goal came when Chile had a breakaway, and Antonia Irazoqui took on the goalkeeper one-on-one to score.
Australia was knocking on the door with force in the second half, but the Chile defense would not budge. With just over four minutes left, a desperate Australia side pulled the goalkeeper for an extra field player, but to no avail.
Chile’s Josefa Salas earned her 100th international cap.
Chile goalkeeper Natalia Salvador was named player of the match. “I’m really happy,” said Salvador. “And I’m really proud of my team, of everyone—we are not just 20 players, we are not just five coaches, we are a lot of players, a lot of coaches—working really hard for this moment.”
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