Harmanpreet Singh To Lead India’s 20-Man Team For FIH Hockey World Cup

Last Updated:July 21, 2026, 16:13 IST

India announces 20-member FIH Men's Hockey World Cup team led by Harmanpreet Singh, aiming to improve past records.

India on Tuesday announced a 20-member team for next month’s FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, with four players from the team that featured in the European leg of the FIH Pro League missing out because of the tournament’s team-size restrictions.

Defender Amandeep Lakra, midfielders Raj Kumar Pal and Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem and forward Selvam Karthi are the four players who have been left out of the 24-member team that featured in the FIH Pro League.

India endured a disappointing FIH Pro League campaign in June, managing just four victories, five draws and seven losses to finish eighth among nine teams, with only arch-rivals Pakistan below them in the standings.

The team will now look to improve on their recent FIH World Cup record.

India finished ninth in the previous edition in 2023 and haven’t won a medal since their historic win in Kuala Lumpur in 1975, which remains their only FIH World Cup title.

Before that, India bagged bronze at the 1971 edition in Barcelona and silver at the 1973 tournament in Amsterdam.

Ace drag-flicker and defender Harmanpreet Singh, who led India to an Olympic bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Games, will lead the team.

Veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh, India’s most-capped player, adds experience to a team blending established stars with promising youngsters.

“This is a well-balanced squad, the right mix of tournament experience and in-form youth who have earned their spot through performance, not reputation," chief coach Craig Fulton said.

The goalkeeping department features Mohith HS and Suraj Karkera, while the defensive lineup includes Jarmanpreet Singh, skipper Harmanpreet, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit and Yashdeep Siwach.

The midfield unit will be spearheaded by Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad, with Nilakanta Sharma, Rajinder Singh and youngster Aditya Arjun Lalage also included.

The forward line features Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh and Shilanand Lakra.

India have been placed in Pool D alongside England, arch-rivals Pakistan and Wales, with all their group-stage games all set to take place in Amstelveen, the Netherlands.

“Press, counter, perform is not just our tactical identity; it is how this group trains and thinks together every single day. We aren’t getting ahead of ourselves; one game at a time, all in, is the mentality we are taking into every match," Fulton said.

India will start their campaign against Wales on August 15, followed by clashes against England on August 17 and arch-rivals Pakistan on August 19. The game against Pakistan is expected to be the biggest attraction of the group stage.

“Fifty years since 1975 (World Cup win), this group has a chance to write its own chapter in Indian hockey history and we are really excited about it," Fulton concluded.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Mohith HS and Suraj Karkera

Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (c), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit and Yashdeep Siwach

Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma and Vivek Sagar Prasad

Forwards: Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh and Abhishek

(With PTI Inputs)

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