2 weeks ago
India begin Hockey World Cup with 3-1 win over Wales
India's hockey team played their first game of the big Hockey World Cup and won!
They beat the team from Wales by a score of 3 to 1.
The match was played on Saturday, August 15, 2026, which is also India's Independence Day.
A player named Sanjay scored the first goal for India with a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner.
The captain, Harmanpreet Singh, scored two more goals, also from penalty corners.
Later in the game, Wales scored one goal, but India's defence held strong until the end.
Harmanpreet was named the best player of the match.
India has not won this World Cup in a very long time, since 1975.
The team hopes this year they can finally bring the trophy home.
Their next game is against England on August 17.
India defeated Wales 3-1 in their opening Pool D match of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, The Netherlands, on Saturday.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted penalty corners in the 11th and 43rd minutes and was named Player of the Match.
Sanjay opened the scoring for India with a direct drag-flick from a penalty corner in the eighth minute.
Sam Welsh pulled one back for Wales with a field goal in the 56th minute (one report says 55th) after a goal-line scramble, confirmed by video review.
India, seeking their first World Cup title since 1975, sit top of Pool D and next face England on August 17.
- Who
- India's men's hockey team, captained by Harmanpreet Singh, and Wales.
- What
- India won the opening Pool D match 3-1, with goals from Sanjay and a double from captain Harmanpreet Singh; Sam Welsh scored Wales' goal in the 56th minute (one report says 55th) after a video review.
- Where
- Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen, The Netherlands.
- When
- Saturday, August 15, 2026 – India's Independence Day – during the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026.
- Why
- India began their campaign aiming to end a 51-year wait for a first FIH Hockey World Cup title since 1975.
Key facts
- Final Score
- India 3-1 Wales
- India Scorers
- Harmanpreet Singh (2), Sanjay (1)
- Player of the Match
- Harmanpreet Singh
- Venue
- Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen, The Netherlands (nearly 10,000 capacity)
- Pool
- Pool D: India, England, Wales, Pakistan
- India Head Coach
- Craig Fulton
- Next Match
- India vs England, August 17
- Last World Cup Title
- 1975, beating Pakistan 2-1 in the final
Quotes
Harmanpreet Singh
India men's hockey captain
“"The World Cup means a lot to all of us because after this World Cup, you never know what might happen. There are several senior players in the team as well, so for us, this is a great opportunity."”
firstpost.com
Sources
India edge past Wales 3-1 in FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026 opener
FIH Hockey World Cup: India Make Winning Start, Defeat Wales 3-1
Hockey World Cup: India begin campaign in saffron, Harmanpreet double sinks Wales
India Begin Hockey World Cup Campaign With 3-1 Win Over Wales As Harmanpreet Scores Twice
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