Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Harmanpreet Singh-led India kicks off World Cup quest against Wales
The Indian men's hockey team is playing in a big tournament called the FIH World Cup.
Their first game is against Wales on Saturday.
India wants to win the World Cup for the first time in 51 years.
The last time India won it was in 1975.
The team is captained by a player named Harmanpreet Singh, who is very good at scoring from penalty corners.
Their coach, Craig Fulton, says the team wants to write its own history.
India has won bronze medals at the last two Olympic Games.
England and Pakistan are also in their group, and matches against them will be tough.
The players hope a good tournament will make their country proud.
India opens its FIH World Cup 2026 campaign against Wales on Saturday, aiming to end a 51-year title drought dating back to 1975.
India's only World Cup triumph came in 1975, when Ajit Pal Singh's team beat Pakistan in the final in Kuala Lumpur.
Eighth-ranked India faces 15th-ranked Wales first, with tougher pool clashes against England (August 17) and Pakistan (August 19) to come.
Coach Craig Fulton has blended experience and youth, leaning on veterans like Manpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh while eight players make their World Cup debut.
India enters the World Cup after bronze medals at the last two Olympic Games and an Asia Cup title in Rajgir, with goalkeepers Mohit HS and Suraj Karkera replacing the retired PR Sreejesh.
- Who
- India's men's hockey team, captained by Harmanpreet Singh and coached by Craig Fulton, against Wales.
- What
- The opening match of India's FIH World Cup 2026 campaign, as the team seeks its first World Cup title since 1975.
- When
- Saturday, at 4:30 PM IST, followed by pool matches against England on August 17 and Pakistan on August 19.
- Where
- FIH World Cup 2026 (the tournament venue is not specified in the articles).
- Why
- To start the tournament strongly and end India's 51-year World Cup title drought.
- Fixture
- India vs Wales, FIH World Cup 2026 opening match, Saturday, 4:30 PM IST
- World Rankings
- India 8th; Wales 15th
- Captain
- Harmanpreet Singh
- Head Coach
- Craig Fulton
- Last World Cup Title
- 1975, beating Pakistan in the final in Kuala Lumpur
- Title Drought
- 51 years
- Upcoming Matches
- Pool: England (August 17), Pakistan (August 19); Asian Games next month for Los Angeles Olympics qualification
- Most-Capped Player
- Manpreet Singh — 417 international appearances
