New Delhi : The Indian men’s hockey team will field a second-string squad for the 2026 FIH World Cup, while senior players will focus on the Asian Games. This decision comes because the 2026 World Cup and the Asian Games are only 20 days apart. Officials say it is not possible for top players to participate in both tournaments due to the short turnaround and the high level of competition required.
Winning the Asian Games guarantees a direct entry to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Hockey India has decided that the main senior men’s team will prioritize the Asian Games, considering its importance as an Olympic qualifier. During the last Asian Games in Hangzhou 2023, the Indian men’s team won gold and secured their place in the Paris Olympics. The women’s team won bronze and did not qualify for the Olympics.
For the 2026 events, the women’s team, led by Salima Tete, is expected to compete in both the World Cup and the Asian Games, as there is no schedule conflict for them.
The 2026 World Cup will take place from August 15 to 30, 2026, in Wavre (Belgium) and Amstelveen (Netherlands). The decision signals a shift in priority, with the men’s team focusing on Olympic qualification through the Asian Games and giving younger players a chance at the World Cup.
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