Faith in youth and a robust defence behind Germany’s dominance

While the Pro League which preceded the World Cup was a marker on where the sides stood in terms of team building and form, Germany’s numbers made for grim reading. It was a team in transition with a heavy influx of youth. But discount the Germans at your peril.

After Andre Henning took charge, it won the World Cup, reached an Olympic final and made two Euro summit clashes, winning one. And 2026 was to be no different. It overcame heavyweights Belgium, Australia and Argentina before getting the better of Spain in an attritional WC final.

Their faith was repaid when three of five junior World Cup-winning players from 2023 and 2025 contributed two goals apiece, including Michel Struthoff, who scored the winner in the title decider. Germany’s fourth star on the shirt was created with a robust defensive structure, limiting its rivals to just seven goals in the entire tournament. It was a marked difference from the Pro League campaign, where it let in many.

While Spain was the only side to inflict a loss on Germany, it couldn’t get over the line when it mattered the most. Max Caldas’ Red Sticks lost rhythm in possession, which had served it so well in previous outings, including the shock 4-3 semifinal win over co-host Netherlands.

For Netherlands, a moment of madness from Duco Telgenkamp tilted the last four-tie in favour of the Spaniards, undoing what had been a rip-roaring campaign until then. The attacker was issued a 10-minute suspension, a period in which Spain scored thrice to silence a partisan crowd in Amstelveen.

Argentina, much like its football team, scrapped and clawed while also displaying some breathtaking attacking hockey to finish as the tournament top-scorer with 22 goals. England, tipped as a dark horse, was involved in the ‘match of the tournament’ contender in a second-round game against the Dutch. But the thrilling 2-2 draw was not enough to take it through to the final phase.

Co-host Belgium, which was ranked No. 1, disappointed after failing to beat any of the top-eight ranked oppositions. The less said the better about India that came eighth. The World Cup was marred by off-field scandals before it finished with an embarrassing moment where 12 players were on the pitch.