Eight players from Punjab named in Indian squad for FIH Hockey World Cup 2026

Eight hockey stars from Punjab have earned their spots in the Indian men’s national team for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place jointly across the Netherlands and Belgium between August 15 and 30.

The state’s contingent features national skipper Harmanpreet Singh alongside former captain Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, and Mandeep Singh. While Manpreet, Hardik, Mandeep, and Sukhjeet hail directly from Jalandhar, the remaining four also share a long-standing association with the city, having honed their skills over the years at the city’s iconic Surjit Hockey Stadium.

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Veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh, who recently set a milestone as India’s most-capped international player, continues to serve as an indispensable pillar of the national side. His presence adds invaluable leadership and big-match experience ahead of the world tournament.

The squad announcement also underlines the remarkable journey of forward Sukhjeet Singh, whose career hung in the balance a few seasons ago following a life-threatening bout of partial paralysis. Battling through intense rehabilitation, Sukhjeet eventually fought his way back into the national side, becoming a crucial contributor to India’s bronze-medal performance at the Paris Olympics.

Recalling his grueling road to recovery after the Olympic triumph, Sukhjeet had opened up about the mental toll of those years, sharing how he spent the entire night of the medal win reflecting on the health crisis he overcame to reach the peak of international sport.

Welcoming the team selection, Hockey Punjab President Nitin Kohli and General Secretary Amreek Singh Powar voiced strong confidence in India’s chances at the flagship tournament. State officials expressed immense pride in Harmanpreet Singh retaining the captaincy, adding that Manpreet’s deep reservoir of international experience will prove critical in high-pressure games.

The state body noted that the squad strikes a fine balance between seasoned veterans and fresh talent, expressing certainty that the team has everything it takes to bring the World Cup trophy home.