India’s men’s hockey team begin their quest for a first World Cup title in over half a century this week, opening their campaign against Wales at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026. Harmanpreet Singh leads a side that has been meticulously prepared under head coach Craig Fulton, and the expectation back home is that this generation can finally end the long wait for glory.
The campaign begins
India open their tournament against Wales on August 15 at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, the first of three group matches in Pool D. From there, they face England on August 17 before the blockbuster clash with arch rivals Pakistan on August 19.
The Pakistan match is always the fixture that captures the imagination, and this edition is no different. The two nations share one of the most storied rivalries in world hockey, and their meeting in the group stage adds an extra layer of intensity to an already demanding schedule.
All of India’s matches will be played at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, one of the two host venues alongside the Belfius Arena in Wavre, Belgium. The tournament runs from August 15 to August 30.
Fulton’s careful preparation
Craig Fulton, the South African who has transformed India’s approach since taking charge, has been characteristically meticulous in his preparation. The coach has spoken openly about the pressure of expectation, and about the areas, particularly defence and set pieces, that will come under scrutiny at the highest level.
Fulton’s India are a more structured, more disciplined side than the one that preceded them. The freewheeling attacking style of the past has been tempered with a defensive solidity that makes India a far harder side to break down. Whether that balance is right for a World Cup will be tested from the very first whistle.
The coach has identified set pieces as a potential point of difference. With Harmanpreet Singh’s drag flick among the most feared in the world, India possess a genuine weapon in that department, and Fulton has built the side’s attacking structure around creating those opportunities.
The captain’s burden
Harmanpreet Singh carries the hopes of a hockey obsessed nation on his shoulders. The drag flick specialist is one of the finest players in the world, and his leadership has grown with each passing tournament.
The captaincy has not always been easy. The weight of expectation in Indian hockey is enormous, and Harmanpreet has had to learn the art of leading while also delivering with the stick. His performances in major tournaments have, for the most part, been outstanding, and he remains India’s most important player.
Alongside him, the experienced Manpreet Singh provides a calming influence in midfield, while Hardik Singh has emerged as one of the team’s most dynamic performers. The blend of youth and experience in this squad is arguably the strongest India have fielded in a generation.
The squad at a glance
India’s 20 player squad is led by Harmanpreet Singh, with Suraj Karkera and Mohith HS the goalkeepers. The defensive unit features the experience of Amit Rohidas and Jugraj Singh, while the midfield is anchored by Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Nilakanta Sharma and Vivek Sagar Prasad.
Up front, the pace and movement of Mandeep Singh, Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh provide genuine goal scoring threat, with Dilpreet Singh offering further options.
The depth of the squad is perhaps its greatest asset. Fulton has rotated his players throughout the build up, ensuring that every member of the group is match ready, and that confidence is high going into the tournament.
The history and the hunger
India’s men’s hockey team have not won the World Cup since 1975, a wait that has now stretched beyond half a century. For a nation that once dominated the sport, winning Olympic gold and World Cup titles with regularity, that drought has been a source of enduring frustration.
Recent years, however, have offered genuine hope. India won back to back Olympic bronze medals in Tokyo and Paris, restoring the country’s status as a force in the game. The challenge now is to convert that consistency into the one thing that has eluded them: a major title.
The World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands offers the perfect stage. If Harmanpreet Singh’s side can navigate a difficult group and find their rhythm at the business end of the tournament, there is a genuine belief that this could be the year the wait finally ends.
The campaign begins against Wales on August 15. For India, and for a sport that means so much to so many, the journey towards redemption starts now.