India men’s hockey team head coach Craig Fulton has made it clear that his side is determined to end the country’s long wait for a medal at the FIH Hockey World Cup. With the tournament set to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30, the Harmanpreet Singh-led squad is aiming to create a new chapter in Indian hockey history.

Fulton, who guided India to a second successive Olympic bronze medal at the Paris Games, believes his players have the quality to challenge the world’s best. However, he stressed that maintaining consistency throughout the competition will be the deciding factor.

India remain one of the most successful nations in Olympic hockey with eight gold medals, but their World Cup record has not matched that legacy. The team has won only three World Cup medals, with the last coming in 1975 when Ajit Pal Singh captained India to the title.

Fulton wants India to create history

Reflecting on India’s World Cup ambitions, Fulton acknowledged the significance of the challenge ahead. “1975 was the last time India won it and what’s important is to get consistency in the tournament and bring that consistency into the Asian Games and we win the Asian Games as a priority as well,” Fulton said.

The South African coach believes tournament success depends on delivering top performances when the pressure is highest. “We are excited about the opportunity. Tournament hockey is about playing your best hockey when it counts, you got to peak at the right time and have a really strong squad through all the lines. We have shown in Paris that we can put in an experienced squad with some youth. We have a good chance and we can beat any team on our day,” he added.

“I am fully aware about the legacy of Indian hockey and also the fact it hasn’t gone really well in the World Cup, we would love to change that, we would love to write our own piece of history in Indian hockey,” Fulton noted.

Strong start key in challenging pool

India have been drawn in Pool D alongside Wales, England and Pakistan. Fulton believes building momentum from the opening match will be crucial if the team hopes to make a deep run in the competition.

“We have tough group and we need to do good job against Wales in game 1 and really focus on building momentum and try to get to the end of the tournament where you play your best hockey.”

The coach feels early consistency can set the tone for the rest of the campaign.

World Cup and Asian Games both in focus

The Asian Games will follow soon after the World Cup, making it another major objective for India because it offers direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

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Explaining his expectations, Fulton said, “The ideal goal is we want to win every tournament we play. So in Asia we won every tournament we played, that’s ideal. Realistic is down to ranking. So now we are ranked 7th or 8th in the world now, so we have a 5 per cent chance of winning the World Cup through ranking but that does that stop us winning it, ‘No’. But that’s what people will perceive as you are ranked 8th in the world. For me ranking is important after the tournament not before.”

“Even though we are no.1 in Asia realistically doesn’t guarantee we are winning if we don’t do our basics right, be 100 per cent in everything, everything needs to fire,” Fulton concluded.

Blend of experience and youth

Fulton has selected a balanced squad by combining senior players with emerging talent, including defender Yashdeep Siwach and striker Aditya Arjun Lagale.

Speaking about the duo, he explained, “We have nice connection in the last 18 months. Yashdeep started with the Pro League, previously done very well, is a good, solid defender and we need cover in that area. Aditya is a long-term prospect. He has played really well, he is an exciting player and we need to give him an important tournament. We need people to cover more than one position, Yashdeep can also play in the midfield.”

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India’s final Pool D match will be against Pakistan on August 19, and Fulton wants his players to stay focused despite the occasion. “There is a lot of history about India and Pakistan. It’s a perfect rivalry for right reasons but still we have to play the game and not get overawed by the occasion an it’s important to pass this message across,” Fulton also stated. 

FAQs

When did India last win the Hockey World Cup?

India last won the Hockey World Cup in 1975 under captain Ajit Pal Singh.

Who will India face in the Hockey World Cup group stage?

India are in Pool D alongside Wales, England, and Pakistan.