# India men's hockey World Cup push

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/india-mens-hockey-world-cup-push
> Updated: 2026-07-30T06:53:30.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026, India’s men’s hockey team intensified preparations for the upcoming World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium. Coach Craig Fulton highlighted the need for consistency, a balanced mix of experienced players and newcomers, and timing the team’s peak to break a 51‑year medal drought. He also linked the World Cup campaign to the Asian Games, which serve as a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

A few days later, captain Harmanpreet Singh and the squad stressed unity, improved fitness, and a match‑by‑match mindset. They referenced the team’s best historic finish – fifth place at the 1994 Sydney World Cup – as a benchmark for the current effort to finally secure a World Cup title after more than half a century without one.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-30: India's Men's Hockey Team Prepares for 2023 World Cup, Citing 1994 Best Finish

India's men's hockey team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh and coach Craig Fulton, prepares for the 2023 World Cup, recalling its best synthetic‑turf finish – fifth place in 1994.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indias-mens-hockey-team-prepares-for-2023-world-cup-citing-1994-best-finish

### 2026-07-25: India men's hockey coach Craig Fulton aims to end 51‑year World Cup drought

Coach Craig Fulton is gearing India’s hockey team, captained by Harmanpreet Singh, to end a 51‑year World Cup medal drought at the 2026 tournament, while targeting the Asian Games as a path to the 2028 Olympics

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-mens-hockey-coach-craig-fulton-aims-to-end-51year-world-cup-drought

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Cite as: India men's hockey World Cup push. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/india-mens-hockey-world-cup-push