Hockey India on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 named a 24-member men's squad for the European leg of the FIH Pro League 2025-26, with skipper Harmanpreet Singh returning to lead the side after stepping away for personal reasons during the Hobart leg in February 2026. The tour spans three countries — Belgium, the Netherlands, and England — across 7 to 28 June 2026, and is widely seen as a critical World Cup preparatory window.

Tour Schedule and Fixtures

The squad will begin with a preparatory camp and a friendly match in Brussels, Belgium from 7 to 9 June 2026. The team then moves to Rotterdam, the Netherlands from 10 June, where they face Germany and the Netherlands in Pro League fixtures scheduled between 14 and 21 June 2026. The tour concludes in London, England, where India take on Pakistan and England in Pro League matches from 23 to 28 June 2026.

Squad Composition

The selection blends experienced campaigners with emerging talent, with an explicit eye on building a settled core ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Harmanpreet Singh anchors a defensive unit that includes Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, and young defender Amandeep Lakra.

The midfield is anchored by the seasoned trio of Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad, alongside Raj Kumar Pal. Up front, the attack features Mandeep Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, and Selvam Karthi. The full squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar, Suraj Karkera

Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Amit Rohidas, Sumit, Sanjay, Yashdeep Siwach, Amandeep Lakra, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh

Midfielders: Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem

Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Selvam Karthi

Standbys: Krishan Bahadur Pathak (goalkeeper), Araijeet Singh Hundal and Maninder Singh (forwards), Poovanna Chandura Boby (defender), Vishnu Kant Singh (midfielder)

What the Coach Said

Chief coach Craig Fulton expressed confidence in the group's readiness. 'Training has been going really well and the squad is in great shape. The FIH Pro League matches in Holland and England in June are exactly what we need — tough tests against world-class opposition that will tell us exactly where we stand in our World Cup preparations. We are looking forward to the challenge,' Fulton said.

World Cup Context

This tour carries added significance as India's preparation cycle for the World Cup enters its decisive phase. Matches against Germany, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and England — all ranked among the world's elite — will provide a realistic gauge of India's tactical readiness. Notably, Harmanpreet's return to captaincy restores continuity to a defensive structure that had to be reorganised in his absence during the Hobart leg earlier this year.