India are all set to enter the campaign at the Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 hosted by Belgium and Netherlands, with high hopes. It has been 50 years since the Indian team last lifted the World Cup trophy, or even stood on the podium. Led by head coach Craig Fulton, who steered the team to a bronze medal at Paris Oympics 2024, India secured their spot in this World Cup by winning the 2025 Asia Cup in Rajgir.

Currently ranked 8th in the world, India enter the tournament battle-tested. Rhey had a rocky start to their recent FIH Pro League season, as the team found its rhythm during the European leg, securing impressive victories against top-tier teams like Netherlands, Germany, Pakistan, and England. These crucial wins ensured they were not relegated to the FIH Nations League.

India have been placed in Pool D, where they will face off against Wales, England, and arch-rivals Pakistan. The tournament format this year has seen a major shake-up as there are no traditional quarter-finals.

Instead, the top two teams from each pool will advance to the second round, carrying forward the points they earned against the other qualifying team from their group. In this next phase, the two advancing teams from Pool D will clash with the top two teams from Pool A (which includes Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, and Japan). Only the top two from these newly formed second-round groups will secure a spot in the semifinals.

On the other hand, the bottom two teams from the first and second round pools will play in classification matches.

All of India’s group-stage matches will be played at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

Here is when you can catch the action:

August 15: India vs Wales at 4:30 p.m. (IST)

August 17: India vs England at 6:30 p.m. (IST)

August 19: India vs Pakistan at 6:30 p.m. (IST)

Fans in India can catch all the live TV broadcasts on the Star Sports Network and stream the matches on JioHotstar app and website.

Goalkeepers: Mohith HS, Suraj Karkera

Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh (c), 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