India Begin World Cup Campaign Against Wales as Harmanpreet Singh’s Side Chases a New Chapter in Hockey History

Fifty-one years is a long time in sport. For Indian hockey, however, the memory of 1975 has never really faded. 

That was the year India lifted their only FIH Men's Hockey World Cup title, with captain Ajit Pal Singh leading the team to glory in Kuala Lumpur. More than five decades later, that triumph remains the benchmark against which every Indian World Cup campaign is measured.

Now, as the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 begins on August 15, India has another opportunity to change that narrative. Led by Harmanpreet Singh, the Indian men's team enters the tournament carrying an important legacy and also a squad capable of creating something new. The campaign begins against Wales on August 15, on India's Independence Day, before matches against England on August 17 and Pakistan on August 19 in Pool D.

For India, there is little room for a slow start.

There is a particularly interesting connection between India's present and its most celebrated World Cup triumph. Ajit Pal Singh captained India at the 1971 World Cup before leading the team to the title in 1975. More than five decades later, Harmanpreet is following a remarkably similar path. Having captained India at the 2023 World Cup, he will now lead the side at his second World Cup.

That makes Harmanpreet only the second Indian player after Ajit Pal Singh to captain India at two World Cups.

The responsibility is significant. Harmanpreet remains one of India's most important players, particularly with his ability to influence matches through penalty corners and his leadership at the back. But this Indian squad is not dependent on one individual.

It combines experience accumulated over several major tournaments with a younger generation eager to establish itself.

India's recent performances have offered encouragement ahead of the World Cup. In the final leg of the FIH Pro League, India secured notable victories over reigning world champions Germany and Olympic champions the Netherlands. They also defeated Pakistan twice and overcame England in a shootout.

Those results could prove particularly valuable given that both England and Pakistan are in India's World Cup pool.

However, a World Cup presents an entirely different challenge. Momentum can help, but consistency over a major championship is what ultimately determines how far a team goes. India will therefore need to transfer the confidence gained during the Pro League into the tournament environment.

India's route begins in Pool D, alongside Wales, England, and Pakistan. The schedule is compact. India faces Wales on August 15, England two days later, and Pakistan on August 19. The opening match is therefore not simply about starting with a win. Every point can have consequences because of the unusual format being used at the 2026 World Cup.

The top two teams from each of the four first-stage pools advance to the next phase. Instead of a conventional quarter-final round, the eight qualifiers are divided into Pools E and F. The top two teams from each of those pools then progress to the semi-finals. An especially important feature is that teams carry forward the result and points earned against the other team qualifying from their original pool.

That makes every first-stage match strategically significant.

India's biggest assets could be the experience running through the squad. Mandeep Singh and Manpreet Singh are set to make their fourth World Cup appearances.

For Manpreet, the tournament adds another milestone to an extraordinary international career. He has accumulated 417 international appearances, making him India's most-capped player and the most-capped player at this World Cup. Alongside him are established campaigners such as Harmanpreet, Hardik Singh, Amit Rohidas, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Sumit, and Nilakanta Sharma.

That experience could prove crucial when India encounters difficult moments. At the same time, the squad contains eight World Cup debutants, creating an intriguing balance between established international players and emerging talent. Chief coach Craig Fulton sees that combination as one of India's strengths.

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“Our strength is our diversity,” Fulton said, pointing to the team's experience at the Olympics and World Cups alongside younger players who have progressed through the U-21 system.

Among the debutants, defender Yashdeep Siwach will have an especially meaningful tournament. His mother, Pritam Siwach, represented India at the World Cup, meaning Yashdeep will now follow her onto the same global stage. It adds another layer to a tournament already steeped in Indian hockey history.

There will also be new faces in goal. Both Suraj Karkera and Mohith HS will make their World Cup debuts, taking responsibility for one of the most demanding positions in international hockey. Their performances could be crucial, particularly in the knockout stages where a single save can change a tournament.

For India, the temptation will inevitably be to look backwards. The 1975 title is still the country's only World Cup triumph. Every subsequent generation has been asked whether it can repeat the achievement. But this team has an opportunity to approach the challenge differently.

The objective is not to recreate Ajit Pal Singh's team. It is to create a new one.

Harmanpreet's leadership, Manpreet's experience, and the quality of Hardik, Amit, Vivek, Sumit, and Nilakanta provide the foundation. Around them are players such as Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjuna Lalage, Yashdeep, and Shilanand Lakra, alongside established performers including Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Dilpreet, Abhishek and Jugraj Singh.

The mixture gives India both experience and possibility. As Fulton put it, India's Olympic legacy is powerful, but the World Cup has presented a different story for more than five decades. The goal now is clear: write a new piece of Indian history.

On August 15, when Harmanpreet leads India against Wales, the memory of 1975 will inevitably be present. But the next chapter will belong to this generation.

And after 51 years, India will get another chance to write it.