Hockey India on Friday, 7 August announced an 18-member junior men's squad for the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026, to be held in Moqi, China, from 30 August to 13 September. Defender Anmol Ekka has been named captain of the side, which is currently in camp at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Bengaluru under newly appointed coach Frederic Soyez.

Squad Composition and Preparations

The squad includes two alternate players alongside the core 18. In the build-up to the tournament, the team completed an exposure tour of Belgium, competing against strong international opposition that allowed the players to assess their combinations and sharpen their game plan under match conditions.

Back home, the side is gaining additional competitive exposure through a series of friendly matches against the Malaysian U-21 team at the SAI centre in Bengaluru, providing further preparation ahead of the continental showpiece.

What the Coach Said

Coach Soyez expressed confidence in the group selected. 'We are pleased with the balance and depth of the squad selected for the Junior Asia Cup. The players have worked hard over the past few months, showing commitment, discipline and a strong desire to improve. Selection was based on consistent performances, attitude and the ability to execute our game plan under pressure,' he said.

On the tournament itself, Soyez added, 'It will be a highly competitive tournament, and we respect every opponent. Our focus will be on playing disciplined, attacking hockey while staying true to our structure.'

The coach also underlined the broader developmental significance of the event: 'This tournament is also an important step in the players' development, and we are confident this group has the potential to deliver strong performances and make the country proud.'

The Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Vivek Lakra, Kunal Tewatia

Defenders: Anmol Ekka (c), Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Ashu Maurya, Sanjit Tirkey, Sukhvinder

Midfielders: Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Manmeet Singh Rai

Forwards: Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Gursewak Singh, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh

Alternate Players: Arjun Santosh Hargude, Ritik Lakra

Tournament Context

The AHF Junior Asia Cup is one of Asia's premier junior hockey competitions, bringing together the continent's top emerging sides in a high-pressure environment. For India's young squad, the tournament represents a significant opportunity to benchmark themselves against the region's best, building on the momentum generated from their recent international exposure ahead of what promises to be a closely contested edition in China.