Hockey India on Tuesday, 30 June 2026 named a 22-member Junior Men's squad for an exposure tour of Belgium, scheduled from 5 to 18 July 2026. Defender Anmol Ekka has been appointed captain for the tour, which marks the first assignment under newly appointed head coach Frederic Soyez and serves as a key preparatory phase ahead of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior Asia Cup later this year.

Tour Schedule and Opposition

The young Indian side faces a demanding European itinerary. The campaign opens against Austria on 7 and 8 July, followed by matches against hosts Belgium on 10 July, Germany on 13 July, Belgium again on 14 July, and a final fixture against the Netherlands on 17 July. In all, the squad will play six matches across four European nations — Austria, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands — giving the team a thorough test against some of the continent's strongest hockey programmes.

The Full Squad

The goalkeeping unit comprises Vivek Lakra and Kunal Tewatia. The defensive line features captain Anmol Ekka, Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Prasant Barla, Sanjit Tirkey, and V. Manimaran. The midfield consists of Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Mukesh Toppo, Mannu Malik, and Ritik Lakra. The forward line features Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Arjun Hargude, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh, Mohd. Konain Dad, and Gurusewak Singh.

World Cup Experience in the Ranks

Notably, four players — captain Anmol Ekka, Adrohit Ekka, Ajeet Yadav, and Rohit Kullu — were part of the Indian team that secured the bronze medal at the FIH Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025. Their presence is expected to add competitive depth and leadership to a squad that otherwise features players still building their international credentials.

What Coach Soyez Expects

Speaking on the squad announcement, coach Frederic Soyez said, 'I expect this tour to help us progress on several levels. First, in terms of our game, by improving our connections, our tactical discipline and our efficiency in key moments. Then on the human side, by strengthening unity and confidence within the group. Finally, I hope this tour will give the players a better understanding of the demands of top-level international hockey and of what we need to put in place to perform consistently over time.'

This comes amid Hockey India's broader push to build depth in the junior pipeline following a creditable World Cup campaign. The Belgium tour is the first of what is expected to be a series of international exposures before the continental junior championship, and its outcomes will likely shape the core of the squad that competes at the Asia Cup.