Archive · 30 Jul 2026
India Switches Hockey Jerseys to Saffron for 2026 World Cup
India’s hockey teams will wear orange (saffron) shirts instead of blue for the 2026 World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Hockey India says the new colour shows courage and is part of the flag, and it helps players stand out on blue fields.
Some fans and former players think the old blue is special and should stay.
Others say the new shirts look better and are proud of the country.
The change was made after talking with players and coaches.
The World Cup will happen from August 15 to 30, 2026.
Indian men's and women's hockey teams will wear saffron jerseys at the 2026 FIH World Cup, replacing their traditional blue kits.
Hockey India says saffron symbolizes courage, sacrifice, victory and is part of the national flag, chosen after technical feedback about visibility on blue synthetic turf.
The new design includes mandala patterns, navy blue accents inspired by the Ashoka Chakra, and Devanagari script spelling "INDIA" to celebrate cultural diversity.
Former captain Viren Rasquinha and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi criticised the change, arguing it erodes the team's legacy and identity tied to blue.
Hockey India defended the switch, noting past colour changes (yellow in 2014, sky blue in 2018) and emphasised that saffron is not political but a national symbol.
- Who
- Hockey India, former captain Viren Rasquinha, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Hockey India President Dilip Kumar Tirkey
- What
- Change of the Indian men's and women's hockey teams' jerseys from blue to saffron for the 2026 FIH World Cup
- When
- Announced July 30, 2026; World Cup runs August 15-30, 2026
- Where
- Netherlands and Belgium
- Why
- To improve visibility on blue synthetic turf and reflect national pride, courage, sacrifice, and victory
- Event
- 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup
- Dates
- August 15-30, 2026
- Teams
- Indian men's and women's national teams
- Jersey colour
- Saffron
- Reason
- Visibility on blue turf and national symbolism
Sources
Indian Hockey Teams To Wear Saffron Jerseys At FIH World Cup 2026, Opposition And Ex-Captain Raise Questions | VIDEO
No More Blue: Indian Hockey Teams To Don Saffron Jersey in FIH World Cup
Hockey India defends new saffron jersey for World Cup teams
No more blue: Indian hockey teams to don saffron jersey in WC
