Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Harmanpreet Singh: No Easy Opponents Ahead of Hockey World Cup
India's hockey team is about to play in a very big tournament called the FIH Hockey World Cup, and India is the country hosting it.
The captain of the Indian team is Harmanpreet Singh.
He told his players that no team in this tournament is easy to beat, so they have to try their best in every single game.
India will play against three teams: Pakistan, England, and Wales.
Harmanpreet said the team has watched videos of these teams to learn how they play.
Playing against Pakistan can make players feel very excited, so he warned everyone to stay calm.
He also said the cheering crowd is like a teammate, and the players should enjoy the support without getting distracted.
Harmanpreet wants everyone to keep their emotions under control and follow their game plan for all 60 minutes of the match.
If they stay calm and disciplined, he believes the team can do well in the World Cup.
India captain Harmanpreet Singh said 'there are no easy opponents' at the FIH Hockey World Cup and urged his team not to take any Pool D rival lightly.
India will face Wales, England and Pakistan in Pool D of the tournament, which India is hosting.
The captain noted that Pakistan mixes zone and man-to-man playing styles, while India met Pakistan in the Pro League and Wales at the Commonwealth Games.
Harmanpreet stressed keeping emotions under control and playing a clean, disciplined match, especially against Pakistan, where the occasion carries extra intensity.
He asked players to use the crowd's energy positively, stay in rhythm, and remain focused on their plans across all four quarters of the 60-minute game.
- Who
- Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian hockey team, and his players.
- What
- The captain urged India to treat every Pool D match at the FIH Hockey World Cup equally, stay calm and disciplined, and respect opponents such as Pakistan, England and Wales.
- When
- Ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup, before the tournament gets underway; no specific dates were given in the article.
- Where
- New Delhi (article dateline); the tournament is hosted by India, with Pool D featuring Wales, England and Pakistan.
- Why
- Because he believes there are 'no easy opponents' in the World Cup, and controlling emotions, especially in the intense fixture against Pakistan, is key to executing the team's strategies.
- Tournament
- FIH Hockey World Cup
- India's pool
- Pool D
- India's opponents
- Wales, England, Pakistan
- Host nation
- India
- India captain
- Harmanpreet Singh
- Prior meetings noted
- Pakistan in the Pro League; Wales in the Commonwealth Games
- Core message
- No easy opponents; stay calm, focused and disciplined for all 60 minutes