Indian Men’s Hockey Team Departs for Crucial European Leg of FIH Pro League 2025-26
The Indian Men’s Hockey Team has embarked on one of its most important assignments of the year, departing for the European leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2025-26. Led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, the squad left Bengaluru on Saturday night and will face some of the strongest teams in world hockey over the next three weeks.
India's European campaign will feature eight matches against four top international opponents the Netherlands, Germany, Pakistan and England as the team looks to improve its standing in the Pro League and continue preparations for major tournaments later this year, including the Asian Games and the FIH Hockey World Cup.
Before beginning their Pro League engagements, the Indian team will first undergo a short preparatory camp in Brussels, Belgium. The squad is scheduled to train and play a practice match between June 7 and June 9 as part of its acclimatisation process ahead of the demanding European schedule.
The camp is expected to help the players adjust to European weather conditions, playing surfaces and match intensity before the competitive fixtures begin.
Following the training camp, India will travel to Rotterdam on June 10 for the first phase of its European tour. The Harmanpreet Singh-led side will face hosts Netherlands and Germany, two of the most successful hockey nations in the world, between June 14 and June 21. India will open its campaign against the Netherlands on June 14 at 7:30 PM IST. The Dutch side has traditionally been one of the strongest teams in international hockey and will provide an immediate test of India's ambitions.
Germany, meanwhile, continue to be among the elite teams globally and have consistently challenged for medals at major international events. Matches against the Germans are often fiercely contested, making them valuable opportunities for India to assess its progress against top-tier opposition.
The Rotterdam leg is expected to provide a clear indication of where India currently stands against Europe’s hockey powerhouses.
After completing the Rotterdam phase, India will travel to London for the second part of the European leg. The London schedule features matches against Pakistan and England from June 23 to June 28. Among all the fixtures, the two encounters against Pakistan are naturally expected to generate the most excitement. The traditional rivals will meet on June 23 and June 26 in what will be their latest chapter in one of international hockey’s most historic rivalries.
While India and Pakistan no longer meet as frequently as they once did, contests between the two nations continue to attract significant attention from hockey fans across the world.
The matches will also offer both teams a valuable opportunity to test combinations ahead of bigger tournaments later in the season.
England, playing at home, will present another difficult challenge. Known for their structured style and physical intensity, England have consistently remained among the stronger sides in world hockey and will be eager to capitalize on home conditions.
The European leg also marks the return of captain Harmanpreet Singh, who missed the Australian leg of the FIH Pro League in Hobart due to personal reasons. His return significantly strengthens the squad, bringing leadership, defensive stability and one of the most dangerous penalty corner weapons in world hockey back into the lineup.
Speaking before departure, Harmanpreet expressed confidence in the team's preparations and highlighted the importance of the upcoming matches.
"The European leg of the Pro League is always a great test because you are up against some of the best teams in the world in their home conditions. We have prepared well during our training camp in Bengaluru, and the players are looking forward to competing at the highest level," he said.
The captain also emphasized India's focus on playing fearless hockey while continuing to improve as a unit.
"Our objective is to play fearless hockey, remain disciplined in key moments and continue evolving as a group. The upcoming matches will give us an excellent opportunity to assess ourselves against top-quality opposition and continue building momentum as a team," Harmanpreet added.
The FIH Pro League has become a crucial competition for India over the last few years. Beyond ranking points and standings, the tournament provides regular exposure against the world’s best teams, helping players gain valuable experience under pressure. For head coach Craig Fulton and the support staff, the European leg offers an ideal opportunity to fine-tune combinations, evaluate player performances and identify areas for improvement ahead of the Asian Games and the 2026 FIH World Cup.
India has shown encouraging progress in recent seasons, winning bronze medals at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics while establishing itself as one of the strongest teams in international hockey.
However, maintaining consistency against elite opposition remains the next challenge. The upcoming matches against the Netherlands, Germany, Pakistan and England will therefore serve as important benchmarks in India's development.
With eight matches scheduled across Rotterdam and London, the European leg promises to be both demanding and rewarding. If India can secure positive results against some of hockey's biggest nations, it will not only strengthen their Pro League campaign but also provide valuable momentum heading into a packed international calendar.
As the team begins its journey in Europe, Indian hockey fans will be hoping Harmanpreet Singh and his squad can deliver another strong statement on the global stage.
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