Archive · 31 Jul 2026
India Hockey Team Switches Blue Jerseys to Saffron for World Cup
India’s national hockey team usually wears blue shirts.
For the 2026 World Cup, the team will wear saffron shirts instead.
Hockey India said the change was made to help players see the ball better on blue fields.
But the president, Dilip Tirkey, says he was not told about the change and wants an explanation.
Some former players and the Odisha government think the blue shirt is part of India’s hockey history and that the change was made too quickly.
The debate has drawn a lot of media attention and some political comments.
Hockey India changed the national team’s jersey from blue to saffron for the 2026 World Cup, citing technical reasons to avoid color blending with blue synthetic turf.
President Dilip Tirkey claims the decision was made without his prior knowledge and without presenting it to the Executive Board, demanding written clarification.
Secretary Bhola Nath Singh insists all officials were aware and that the change followed player and coach consultations.
Former players and Odisha officials, including ex-captain Viren Rasquinha and former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, criticize the move as eroding the team’s blue identity and legacy.
The controversy has attracted media attention and political commentary, with the Odisha government seeking clarification and the federation defending the change as a sporting and symbolic decision.
- Who
- Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, Secretary Bhola Nath Singh, former players, Odisha government
- What
- Dispute over changing the national hockey team jersey from blue to saffron
- When
- Decision announced July 27, 2026; World Cup starts August 15, 2026
- Where
- India, with the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium
- Why
- Technical reasons to avoid color blending with blue turf, but controversy over decision process and team identity
- Jersey Color Change
- Blue to Saffron
- Event
- FIH Hockey World Cup 2026
- Decision Date
- July 27, 2026
- Key Stakeholders
- Hockey India, Dilip Tirkey, Bhola Nath Singh, Odisha Government
- Controversy
- Process and identity concerns
Sources
Hockey India President Tirkey Denies Being Consulted on Jersey Decision
Who chose saffron? Hockey India president, players question decision to replace blue jersey
Hockey India chief seeks explanation for saffron jersey change, says board was not consulted
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey seeks explanation over jersey change, says Board was not consulted
