Three Tasmanians Selected in Australia's World Cup Squad

Three Tasmanian players have been named in the Kookaburras squad for the upcoming 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.

Joshua Beltz, Hayden Beltz and Jack Welch have been selected in the 20-player Kookaburras squad that will contest the tournament across Belgium and the Netherlands from 15-30 August.

Two more Tasmanians Magnus McCausland and Lachlan Rogers have also been named as non-travelling reserves and remain eligible for selection should injury or illness require a late squad change.

The trio played key roles in the recent block of FIH Pro League games in Rotterdam, with Joshua Beltz donning the Captain's armband on multiple occasions, Welch scoring in consecutive games, and Hayden Beltz scoring his first international goal. 

The World Cup returns to Europe for the first time since Australia's memorable 2014 triumph, with the Kookaburras aiming to claim a fourth men's World Cup title.

Australian Head Coach Mark Hager said the selected group had earned their opportunity after a strong international season.

"Every World Cup is unique, and earning selection in an Australian team is something every player works incredibly hard for. The group we've selected has shown throughout the year that they have the commitment, resilience and quality required to compete on the biggest stage."

"We've built strong depth across the squad, with experienced players who have performed at the highest level alongside exciting younger athletes who have embraced every opportunity in the green and gold."

Hager said Australia's recent performances had provided confidence heading into the tournament.

"The FIH Pro League gave us valuable opportunities to test ourselves against the world's best teams, and we've continued to grow as a group with every campaign. We've been building towards this tournament for a long time."

"A World Cup is about performing when it matters most. We know the challenge ahead, but we're excited by what's possible. This group is hungry, they're connected, and they're ready to represent Australia with pride."

The inclusion of five Tasmanians across the travelling squad and reserve list further underlines the strength of the state's high-performance pathway, with each player having progressed through Hockey Tasmania's development programs before establishing themselves on the national stage.