# Harmanpreet brace leads India to 3-1 World Cup win over Wales

2026-08-15T14:30:49+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 4 independent outlets

India opened their FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign with a 3-1 win over Wales at Amstelveen’s Wagener Stadium on Saturday. Sanjay Rana scored in the eighth minute before captain Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners, in the 11th and 43rd minutes. Wales pulled one back through Sam Welsh in the 55th minute, but India’s defence secured the three points. The victory puts India at the top of Pool D, which also includes England and Pakistan. India, seeking a second World Cup title after winning in 1975, next face world No. 3 England on August 17. The team finished ninth at the 2023 edition in Bhubaneswar.

## Coverage

- newindianexpress.com <https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/other/2026/Aug/15/fih-world-cup-harmanpreet-brace-sets-india-on-their-way>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/hockey/fih-hockey-world-cup-india-make-winning-start-defeat-wales-3-1-article-155678909>
- hindustantimes.com <https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/hockey/india-open-hockey-world-cup-campaign-with-3-1-win-over-wales-as-harmanpreet-singh-scores-twice-101786799484579.html>
- sports.ndtv.com <https://sports.ndtv.com/hockey/india-beat-wales-3-1-to-begin-fih-mens-hockey-world-cup-2026-campaign-with-a-win-11914750#publisher=newsstand>

Tags: England, fih world cup, Harmanpreet Singh, India, Sanjay Rana, Wales
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