Indian men's hockey chief coach Craig Fulton has expressed confidence in the squad's readiness as preparations for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 enter their final month. Speaking from the national camp at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Bengaluru on 15 July, Fulton said the players have returned refreshed and are steadily ramping up intensity ahead of the tournament, which begins on 15 August.

Camp Atmosphere and Training Approach

Fulton described the mood in camp as energised, noting a visible uplift in the squad following a break after the FIH Hockey Pro League European tour. 'The players have come into the camp fresh, and you can see it in the energy on the pitch. The sessions have been sharp and competitive, with everyone eager to be back together,' he said.

The coaching staff has adopted a phased weekly structure — beginning with heavy conditioning work early in the week before transitioning to tactical, unit-based sessions. 'We're also doing a lot of small-sided games to keep decision-making sharp under fatigue, alongside daily video reviews to reinforce learning and specific work on our press and counter,' Fulton added. 'It's about improving what we're already good at and continuing to build on those strengths.'

Pro League Form Provides Confidence

India head into the World Cup on the back of an encouraging Pro League campaign in Europe, where the team recorded wins over reigning world champions Germany, Olympic champions the Netherlands, and arch-rivals Pakistan, while also putting in a competitive showing against England. Those results have given the squad and management a tangible benchmark ahead of the tournament.

Notably, this form comes against opponents India will face again in the group stage, making those victories particularly significant for confidence-building.

India's Pool D Draw and Schedule

India have been placed in Pool D alongside England, Pakistan, and Wales. The campaign opens against Wales on 15 August, followed by the clash against England on 17 August and the highly anticipated fixture against Pakistan on 19 August. The India-Pakistan match is widely regarded as one of the most anticipated group-stage contests of the tournament.

England, having pushed India close in multiple Pro League encounters, are expected to present a stern challenge. The Wales opener, while on paper the most manageable of the three fixtures, will set the tone for India's group campaign.

A Historic Edition of the World Cup

The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, scheduled from 15 to 30 August, is a landmark edition — the first time the men's and women's tournaments will be held simultaneously at the same venues across Belgium and the Netherlands. Both Indian teams are currently in camp at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru, adding a unique dimension to the national programme. India's men last won the World Cup in 1975, a milestone that continues to define the ambition of every subsequent generation of players.

With four weeks remaining, the focus now shifts to sharpening execution and peaking at the right moment — a challenge Fulton appears to be managing with a clear, structured plan.