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.