India Readies for FIH Hockey World Cup 2026: All You Need to Know
The countdown has begun for the highly anticipated FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, set to take place in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30. The Indian men’s team, led by the experienced Harmanpreet Singh, is ready to take on the best teams from around the world in the prestigious tournament.
India’s Squad and Captain
The Indian team has been named, and it boasts a mix of experienced players and emerging talent. Harmanpreet Singh will don the captain’s armband, while goalkeepers Mohith HS and Suraj Karkera will be responsible for protecting the goal. The defenders include Harmanpreet, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, and Yashdeep Siwach. The midfielders are Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, and Vivek Sagar Prasad. The forwards are Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh, and Abhishek.
India’s Pool and Fixtures
India has been placed in Pool D alongside England, Pakistan, and Wales. The team will play all three pool-stage matches at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands. The schedule is as follows:
- August 15: India vs Wales – 4:30 PM IST
- August 17: India vs England – 6:30 PM IST
- August 19: India vs Pakistan – 6:30 PM IST
The India-Pakistan clash is one of the most highly anticipated fixtures of the pool stage, and the team will be looking to make a strong statement.
Where to Watch the Tournament
Indian viewers can catch all the action live on Star Sports Select 2 SD and HD television channels. For those who prefer to stream the matches, the JioHotstar app and website will have live coverage of the tournament.
The Road to the World Cup
The 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup will feature 16 men’s teams divided into four pools of four teams each. India is one of the top contenders, and the team will be aiming to make a deep run in the tournament under the leadership of Harmanpreet Singh. Chief coach Craig Fulton has described the squad as a balanced combination of tournament experience and in-form youth.
India’s Chances
India has been on a strong run in international hockey, and the team will be looking to build on this momentum at the World Cup. With a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, the team has a good chance of making it to the semifinals and challenging for the World Cup title.
The Tournament Format
The tournament will run until August 30, when the men’s World Cup champion will be crowned. The competition will take place at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen and the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre. The format is as follows:
- 16 teams divided into four pools of four teams each
- Each team will play three pool-stage matches
- The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the quarterfinals
- The quarterfinals will be followed by the semifinals and the final
With the tournament just around the corner, the Indian team is ready to take on the best teams from around the world and bring home the coveted World Cup title.