The German Honamas arrive at Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre as the team every other side wants to avoid โ reigning FIH Hockey World Cup champions (2023, Bhubaneswar), ranked World #5, and now bolstered by the naturalisation of Gonzalo Peillat, arguably the most clinical drag-flicker in the history of the sport. Peillat scored 20+ goals for Argentina across World Cup tournaments before making himself available for Germany, where he has played Bundesliga hockey at Blau-Weiss Kรถln (50969 Cologne) for four seasons. His inclusion makes Germany's set-piece unit the most technically gifted in Pool B โ and potentially in the entire tournament.
The Peillat naturalization โ how Germany added Argentina's biggest weapon
Gonzalo Peillat completed his German naturalization process on March 3, 2026, having lived in Cologne for four consecutive years โ meeting the FIH residency eligibility requirements. His FIH Eligibility Committee clearance was received on July 4, 2026. This means Germany's penalty corner routine now features Peillat's trademark low, late drag-flick โ a technique so consistent that he maintains a 76% first-post conversion rate against international goalkeepers who have never faced him in competitive hockey. Belgium goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch, who has faced Peillat in Pro League hockey at Blau-Weiss Kรถln, will be one of the few keepers in Pool B with prior exposure. For France and Malaysia, Peillat's first penalty corner in the tournament will be genuinely new territory.
Captain Mats Grambusch and the Honamas leadership core
Captain Mats Grambusch (THC Hamburg, 142 caps) is one of the finest complete midfielders in the world game โ equally effective as a defensive interceptor and a forward creative force. Alongside experienced central midfielder Niklas Wellen (MHC Mรผnchen, 128 caps), Germany's midfield engine is the most physically conditioned unit in Pool B. The defensive absence of Mathias Mรผller (ACL injury, 142 caps) โ detailed in our Germany injury update โ is offset by the inclusion of Tom Grambusch (Mats' brother) as an emergency defensive cover option with strong transitional reads.
Pool B schedule and Germany vs Belgium โ the decisive clash
| Match | Date | CEST | IST | PKT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany vs Malaysia | Aug 16 | 13:00 | 16:30 | 16:00 |
| Germany vs France | Aug 18 | 15:00 | 18:30 | 18:00 |
| Germany vs Belgium ๐ฅ | Aug 18 | 18:30 | 22:00 | 21:30 |
The Germany vs Belgium clash on August 18 is Pool B's defining match โ a European heavyweight battle between reigning champions and co-hosts in front of a partisan Belgian crowd. Peillat's drag-flick vs Vanasch's institutional knowledge of it. Hendrickx vs Germany's PC defense. This match may well determine Pool B's 1st and 2nd places. See the Germany full schedule and Germany vs Netherlands semi-final preview.
Can Germany win back-to-back World Cups?
Only Pakistan (1978โ1984) and the Netherlands (1973, then 1990, 1998) have won consecutive or proximate World Cups. Germany's challenge is Pool B: Belgium at home is the hardest possible group-stage draw. But Peillat's addition and Grambusch's leadership give Germany a genuine 30% title probability. Rating: 8.8/10 โ Contenders. Prediction: Lose to Belgium or Netherlands in the Semi-Final.