Balanced Roster Named for World Cup

Captain Harmanpreet Singh will lead a balanced 20-member Indian team at the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026, held jointly in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30. Chief Coach Craig Fulton structured the roster around experienced stars alongside rising performers who earned selection through stellar form. Veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh, India's most-capped active player, joins Harmanpreet in bringing high-level international tournament experience, while emerging talent strengthens the lineup across every position.

Goalkeepers Mohith HS and Suraj Karkera will manage the posts for the national side during the tournament. Defender Amit Rohidas from Odisha adds crucial defensive depth and penalty corner skill alongside Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, and Yashdeep Siwach. Midfield duties rely on Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Nilakanta Sharma, alongside promising youngsters Rajinder Singh and Aditya Arjun Lalage.

Tactical Focus and Match Schedule

Attackers Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, and Odisha forward Shilanand Lakra will drive the goal-scoring unit. Odisha has remained the emotional and financial heartland of Indian hockey for over a decade, sponsoring both national teams while building world-class stadium infrastructure in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. Coach Fulton noted that aggressive pressing and rapid counter-attacks define the group's core tactical identity during training.

Placed in Pool D alongside England, Wales, and traditional rival Pakistan, India will play all initial group matches at Amstelveen in the Netherlands. Opening action begins August 15 against Wales, followed by England on August 17 and Pakistan on August 19 in a highly anticipated fixture. Fulton emphasized that the group intends to take the tournament step by step and write fresh history, fifty years after India’s memorable 1975 World Cup triumph. Fans across Odisha and India eagerly await the team's performance as preparation intensifies over the coming months.

​​​​​​​With Inputs from Agency Threads and Image Courtesy: ANI