Hockey India Balancing FIH World Cup 2026 and Asian Games Priorities: Dilip Tirkey

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New Delhi, March 27: Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has underlined the importance of carefully balancing India's ambitions at the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 and the Asian Games 2026, stating that while both tournaments are crucial, the continental event remains a key focus area for the federation.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 8th Hockey India Annual Awards in New Delhi on Friday (March 27), Tirkey shed light on the roadmap for both the men's and women's national teams as they prepare for a packed international calendar.

Dual Challenge: World Cup and Asian Games

India's men's and women's teams have already secured qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, set to be jointly hosted in Belgium and Netherlands. However, Tirkey admitted that managing peak performance across two major tournaments in the same cycle will be a significant challenge.

"The World Cup and Asian Games are both very important. But realistically, it is difficult for teams to maintain peak performance in both tournaments at the same time," Tirkey said.

He added that Hockey India is in discussions with selectors and team management to ensure optimal preparation strategies, including scheduling and squad planning.

"We are working with selectors and stakeholders to decide what is best for the teams. We want to deliver strong performances in both events."

Asian Games 2026 in Sharp Focus

While reiterating the importance of the World Cup, Tirkey made it clear that the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan holds particular significance. The former India captain added further, "Our main focus is on the Asian Games. We want to ensure we perform at our best there."

The emphasis is understandable given India's recent success at the 2022 Asian Games, where the men's team clinched gold and the women's team secured a bronze medal.

Indian Women Qualify at Home, Gain Momentum

The Indian women's team secured qualification for the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026 through the qualifiers held on home soil - a result that has significantly boosted confidence within the camp. Playing in familiar conditions, the team showcased composure and consistency, underlining their steady rise in international hockey.

The home qualification campaign not only ensured their place at the World Cup but also provided valuable match exposure, helping the squad build momentum ahead of a demanding 2026 calendar.

Men's Team Form Concerns

The Indian men's team booked its spot at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 with their triumph over South Korea in the 2025 Asia Cup final in Bihar. However, recent performances have raised concerns.

Craig Fulton's side endured a difficult phase in the FIH Pro League, managing just one win from eight matches across the Hobart and Rourkela legs. The string of losses exposed inconsistencies in both attack and defence, prompting the need for course correction ahead of the major tournaments.

Despite the dip in form, the team's pedigree - highlighted by their gold medal-winning run in Rajgir - keeps expectations high, with the focus now on regaining rhythm and sharpening combinations.

Addressing Selection and Transition

Tirkey also addressed speculation around senior players, including Manpreet Singh, clarifying that decisions are driven purely by performance and long-term planning. "There is nothing like dropping a player for no reason. We look at performance and what is best for the team."

He emphasised the importance of succession planning, especially with an eye on future events like the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. "We have to prepare the next generation as well. If senior players step aside, we must have experienced replacements ready (keeping LA Olympics preparations in mind)."

Tight Timeline Ahead

With both marquee tournaments approaching, Tirkey acknowledged that preparations are already in motion. "The timeline is tight now. We have to move quickly and ensure everything is in place," he signed off.