Harmanpreet Singh has been appointed as the captain of the Indian men’s hockey team for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, which will be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30.
Hockey India revealed a 20-player squad for the prestigious four-yearly tournament on Tuesday.
India have been placed in Pool D of the FIH Hockey World Cup, where they will compete against England, Pakistan and Wales.
The Harmanpreet Singh-led side will play all its pool-stage fixtures at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.
India will begin their World Cup journey against Wales on August 15, followed by a clash with England on August 17.
The much-awaited encounter between traditional rivals India and Pakistan is scheduled for August 19.
The leading two teams from each of the four pools will qualify for the next phase of the competition.
India’s FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026 Squad
Goalkeepers: Mohith HS, Suraj Karkera
Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh (Captain), Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Yashdeep Siwach
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwards: Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek
The 2026 Hockey World Cup squad features a combination of experienced stars and promising young players. Veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh, India’s most-capped hockey player, brings significant experience and leadership to the squad.
Head coach Craig Fulton has shown faith in the team’s composition, highlighting the perfect combination of international experience and emerging talent.
“We have chosen a balanced squad with a combination of players who have experience at major tournaments and young athletes who have earned their place through their performances rather than reputation,” Fulton said.
He added, “Press, counter, perform is not only our tactical approach but also reflects the way this team trains and thinks together every day. We are focused on taking one match at a time and giving our complete effort in every game.”
The 2026 Hockey World Cup will provide India with another chance to secure their second title in the tournament’s history. India’s only World Cup victory came in 1975.
Fulton, who recently guided India to victories over reigning world champions Germany and Olympic champions Netherlands in the FIH Pro League, remains optimistic about the team’s chances of achieving success.
“After 50 years since our 1975 World Cup victory, this team has an opportunity to create a new chapter in Indian hockey history, and we are very excited for the challenge,” he said.
Pakistan remain the most successful men’s team in Hockey World Cup history, having won the tournament four times.
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