Hockey India announced a 20-member squad for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026. Defender Harmanpreet Singh will be the captain, while Manpreet Singh will add experience to the team. Coach Craig Fulton said that this team composed of young and experienced players can create history.
Hockey India on Monday announced the 20-member Indian men’s squad for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026. This tournament will be held from 15 to 30 August 2026. Head coach Craig Fulton expressed confidence that the selected team has a golden opportunity to ‘write its own chapter in the history of Indian hockey’.
According to a Hockey India press release, veteran defender and drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh will lead the team, while India’s most capped experienced midfielder Manpreet Singh will bring experience to the team. This balanced team has a mix of experienced players and exciting young talent.
Coach Fulton called the team ‘balanced’
Head coach Fulton shared his thoughts on the team composition, saying, “This is a very balanced team – it has the right mix of tournament experience and in-form youngsters who have earned their place not on reputation, but on performance.”
These players are included in the team
The goalkeeping department comprises Mohit HS and Suraj Karkera, while the defense comprises Jarmanpreet Singh, captain Harmanpreet, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit and Yashdeep Siwach. The midfield will be led by the trio of Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad, with Neelkant Sharma and promising youngsters Rajinder Singh and Aditya Arjun Lalge also in the squad. The responsibility of the attack will be on the shoulders of Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Abhishek, Sukhjit Singh and Shilanand Lakra.
India will face Pakistan and England in Pool D
India have been placed in Pool D along with England, Pakistan and Wales. The team will play all its pool-stage matches in Amstelveen, Netherlands. Head coach Fulton said, “Press, Counter, Perform is not just our tactical identity – it’s the way this group trains and thinks together every day. We’re not thinking too far ahead – one match at a time, at full strength, that’s the mentality we’re bringing to every match.”
India will begin their campaign against Wales on August 15, followed by England on August 17 and arch-rivals Pakistan on August 19, which remains the most awaited match of the pool stage.
Fulton concluded, “Fifty years after the 1975 (World Cup win), this group has a chance to write their own chapter in the history of Indian hockey, and we’re really excited about it.”
The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeeper: Mohit HS, Suraj Karkera
Defender: Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Yashdeep Siwach
Midfielder: Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalge, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Neelkant Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forward: Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjit Singh, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek. (ANI)
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