1 hr ago
India Hockey Team Begins Asian Games Push After World Cup
India’s men’s hockey team had a disappointing World Cup and finished eighth.
Now the team is preparing for the Asian Games.
India wants to win the tournament again and qualify directly for the 2028 Olympics.
Its first match will be against Indonesia on Sunday.
India is in a group with five other teams.
Coach Craig Fulton says the players have studied what went wrong at the World Cup.
They are now trying to turn those lessons into better play.
The team also held a bonding camp near Mount Fuji to strengthen teamwork.
India finished eighth at the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The team is preparing to defend its Asian Games men’s hockey title.
India will open its Pool A campaign against Indonesia on Sunday.
India shares Pool A with Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
A successful title defense would give India direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Who
- The Indian men’s hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh and coached by Craig Fulton.
- What
- India is preparing for the 2026 Asian Games after finishing eighth at the World Cup.
- Where
- The Asian Games are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan; India trained at a camp near Mount Fuji.
- When
- The team’s Asian Games campaign begins on Sunday; the report was published September 17, 2026.
- Why
- India aims to defend its Asian Games title and directly qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Key facts
- World Cup result
- India finished eighth at the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
- Asian Games objective
- India wants to defend its men’s hockey gold medal.
- Olympic qualification
- Winning the Asian Games would provide direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Opening match
- India will play Indonesia in its Pool A opener on Sunday.
- India’s pool
- Pool A includes India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
- Head coach
- Craig Fulton is the chief coach of the Indian men’s hockey team.
- Captain
- Harmanpreet Singh leads the Indian side.
Quotes
Craig Fulton
Chief coach of the Indian men’s hockey team
“(Regarding) what happened during the World Cup, we have identified what we need to focus on more coming into this tournament (Asian Games). We’re able to go straight into it and focus on those improvements and then do it as a team”
news18.com
“All respect to whoever we play. The only way to truly respect the opposition is by giving 100 per cent. That’s what we’ve done, and that’s what we’ll continue to do in all the tournaments. So, you can expect the same, for sure.”
news18.com
Sources
Related news
Hockey India president says India underperformed at 2026 World Cup
Sreejesh Demands Accountability After India’s Hockey World Cup Exits
Sreejesh Demands Accountability After India’s Double World Cup Exit
Marijne urges Indian women’s hockey team to stay sharp
India-Pakistan Clash Determines Hockey World Cup Qualification
Harmanpreet Demands Full Effort Against Netherlands in Do-or-Die Clash
India’s Men’s Squash Team Top Seeded for Asian Games
India Fall to China in Asian Volleyball Championship Opener
Harmeet Desai Targets 2028 Olympics Mixed-Team Medal Opportunity
LA28 Ticket Sales Surpass Six Million Ahead of 2028 Games
