India men's hockey coach Craig Fulton aims to end 51‑year World Cup drought

Craig Fulton India hockey World Cup medal drought Harmanpreet Singh Asian Games qualification

South African coach Craig Fulton is preparing the Indian men's hockey team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, to break a 51‑year medal drought at the 2026 Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium (15‑30 August). Fulton emphasises consistency, peaking at the right moment and a balanced squad that mixes experienced players with youngsters such as Yashdeep Siwach and Aditya Arjun Lagale. The team is drawn in Pool D with Wales, England and arch‑rival Pakistan.

Fulton also links the World Cup campaign to the upcoming Asian Games, which serve as a qualifying event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. India, currently ranked eighth globally, hopes to build momentum at the Asian Games and secure Olympic qualification while striving to win a historic World Cup medal.

Sources

How India's Hockey Team Is Gearing Up For World Cup Success [www.rediff.com]

24 days ago

Fulton's Strategy To Break India's 51-Year Hockey World Cup Jinx [www.rediff.com]

25 days ago

India's Hockey team to train in Switzerland before World Cup and Asian Games | Hockey News - EUROPE SAYS [www.europesays.com]

24 days ago

Indian men's hockey team to have 3-day camp with Upton in Switzerland before WC [www.news18.com]

24 days ago

India’s rising stars set to shine at FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026 - The Shillong Times [theshillongtimes.com]

24 days ago

We want to write own piece of history in WC, says Indian men's hockey coach Fulton [www.dtnext.in]

25 days ago