Hockey India Announces 20-man Squad For FIH Hockey World Cup 2026

Hockey India on Monday named the 20-member Indian men’s squad for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026, set for 15 to 30 August 2026. Captain Harmanpreet Singh will lead India in Pool D, while chief coach Craig Fulton said the group can “write its own chapter in Indian hockey history”.

India, placed with England, Pakistan and Wales, will play all pool-stage matches in Amstelveen, Netherlands. The team opens against Wales on 15 August, meets England on 17 August, and faces Pakistan on 19 August. Fulton said the squad is a balanced mix of tournament experience and in-form youth.

India squad for Hockey World Cup 2026

The squad includes two goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and five forwards. Veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh, India’s most-capped player, is part of a midfield group that also features Hardik Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad. The attack includes Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh.

Fulton said the team’s style is based on “press, counter, perform” and added that the group trains and thinks in that way every day. He also said the side is not looking beyond the next match, with the focus on one game at a time. Photo credits were given to Hockey India.