New Delhi: With the 2026 Hockey World Cup and the Asian Games scheduled barely weeks apart, Indian men’s hockey head coach Craig Fulton has underlined the need for two core groups of players to ensure India peaks at both marquee tournaments. Speaking in an interview to Sportstar, Fulton said the tight international calendar makes it unrealistic for a single group to deliver peak performances across all major events.
“The reality is that you can’t expect the same group to be at their physical and mental peak twice in such a short span,” Fulton told Sportstar, pointing out that the World Cup and Asian Games are separated by around three weeks.
Fulton explained that the Asian Games carry added significance as the gold medallist earns direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, while the World Cup remains a long-standing aspiration for Indian hockey, with the men’s team still chasing a maiden medal at the tournament.
According to Sportstar, Fulton is exploring a strategy where one core group is prepared to peak at the World Cup, while another remains fresh and fully loaded for the Asian Games, though he admitted the approach brings logistical challenges — especially in terms of coaching staff, workload management and squad rotation.
The Indian coach also highlighted that such planning could expand the talent pool, giving opportunities to more players to gain exposure at the highest level. “It’s about building depth and ensuring sustainability, not just short-term success,” Fulton was quoted as saying by Sportstar.
With the FIH Pro League, World Cup and Asian Games all lined up in quick succession, Fulton’s blueprint signals a shift from traditional squad management — one aimed at keeping India competitive on multiple fronts without burning out its core players.
Source: Sportstar
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