Now Reading: India men and women begin Hockey World Cup campaign this weekend
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India men and women begin Hockey World Cup campaign this weekend
India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams start their FIH World Cup 2026 campaigns this weekend in the Netherlands and Belgium. The men, captained by Harmanpreet Singh and coached by Craig Fulton, open…
The Story in Brief
India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams start their FIH World Cup 2026 campaigns this weekend in the Netherlands and Belgium. The men, captained by Harmanpreet Singh and coached by Craig Fulton, open against Wales on August 15 in Pool D, which also includes England and Pakistan. The women, led by Salima Tete and coached by Sjoerd Marijne (who took them to fourth at the Tokyo Olympics), begin against China on August 16 in their Pool D, also featuring South Africa and England. All India group matches are at Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen. Live telecast is on Star Sports and JioHotstar.
The Indian Opinion
With both teams placed in tough Pool D groups, the men face England, Pakistan and Wales, the women face China, South Africa and England, some fans are already talking up quarter-final berths. But caution is warranted. The women finished fourth at Tokyo but have struggled for consistency since. The men, despite a strong squad, have not won a World Cup in over 50 years. The real test is not the group stage but whether the defence can hold under knockout pressure. Watch how India’s penalty corner conversion rate holds up against England.
Sources (4): news.google.com, sportstar.thehindu.com, sportstar.thehindu.com (2), zeenews.india.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 4 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 4 sources.
