The Indian hockey teams gear up for the 2026 Hockey World Cup starting mid-August.
The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams face contrasting journeys and expectations as the 2026 Hockey World Cup approaches. While the men’s team contends with a turbulent history marked by highs in the 70s and long periods of struggle, they hope to make a stronger impact this time. The women’s side, meanwhile, aims to break new ground by targeting their very first World Cup victory, despite facing tough groups and formidable opponents.
The Hockey World Cup was first established in 1971 in Barcelona with 23 participating nations. India had a promising start with a bronze medal finish, but success has been scarce since. India’s only World Cup win came in 1975 when they defeated Pakistan in Kuala Lumpur. Since then, their performances have often been inconsistent, with periods of decline especially during the 1980s and 90s.
The changing playing conditions from grass to tougher pitches have also affected India’s performance, with places outside the top contenders becoming common. Despite hosting the tournament in 1982 and 2010, finishes have ranged from mid-table to bottom spots. Matches against teams like Pakistan, Australia, the Netherlands, and Germany have often been challenging hurdles for India.