India junior hockey team flies to Belgium for 6-match exposure tour
Synopsis
India's junior men's hockey team has flown to Belgium for a six-match exposure tour against Austria, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands — the first assignment under new coach Frederic Soyez. With four FIH Junior World Cup bronze medallists in the squad, the 7–17 July tour doubles as the critical final tune-up before the Junior Asia Cup.
Key Takeaways
The 24-member Indian junior men's hockey team departed Bengaluru on 5 July 2026 for an exposure tour of Belgium .
The team will play 6 matches against Austria , Belgium , Germany , and the Netherlands between 7–17 July 2026 .
It is the first assignment under new head coach Frederic Soyez .
Defender Anmol Ekka has been named captain for the tour.
Four players — Anmol Ekka, Adrohit Ekka, Ajeet Yadav, and Rohit Kullu — are FIH Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 bronze medallists.
The tour serves as key preparation ahead of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior Asia Cup later in 2026.
The 24-member Indian junior men's hockey team departed from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Saturday, 5 July 2026, for a high-stakes exposure tour of Belgium, with competitive fixtures running from 7 to 17 July 2026. The tour marks the squad's first international assignment under newly appointed head coach Frederic Soyez and is designed as a core preparatory block ahead of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior Asia Cup later this year.
Tour Schedule and Venues
India will contest six matches across the tour, facing Austria (twice), Belgium (twice), Germany (once), and the Netherlands (once). Five of those fixtures will be played at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, with the final match against the Netherlands hosted at the Hockey Centre of Excellence in Antwerp. The varied opposition — spanning three of Europe's top-ranked junior programmes — is intended to stress-test India's tactical combinations ahead of the continental showpiece.
Leadership and Squad Composition
Defender Anmol Ekka has been named captain for the tour. The goalkeeping unit features Vivek Lakra and Kunal Tewatia. The defensive line, alongside Ekka, comprises Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Prasant Barla, Sanjit Tirkey, and V. Manimaran.
The midfield is anchored by Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Mukesh Toppo, Mannu Malik, and Ritik Lakra. The forward line consists of Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Arjun Hargude, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh, Mohd. Konain Dad, and Gurusewak Singh.
World Cup Bronze Medallists Add Experience
Notably, four players in the touring squad — captain Anmol Ekka, Adrohit Ekka, Ajeet Yadav, and Rohit Kullu — were part of the Indian side that clinched the bronze medal at the FIH Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025. Their presence is expected to provide crucial big-match temperament to a squad that otherwise carries limited senior international exposure.
What the Tour Means for Indian Junior Hockey
The Belgium tour arrives at a pivotal juncture for Indian junior hockey. Coach Soyez, taking charge of his first assignment, will use the six fixtures to assess personnel and embed his tactical philosophy before the competitive calendar intensifies. Facing Austria, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands — all strong European programmes — will offer a far sterner test than most Asian opposition India will encounter at the Junior Asia Cup. This is precisely the kind of high-quality preparatory exposure that Indian Hockey has increasingly prioritised in recent cycles to close the gap with European sides at the junior level.
The full squad list is as follows — Goalkeepers: Vivek Lakra, Kunal Tewatia. Defenders: Anmol Ekka, Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Prasant Barla, Sanjit Tirkey, V. Manimaran. Midfielders: Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Mukesh Toppo, Mannu Malik, Ritik Lakra. Forwards: Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Arjun Hargude, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh, Mohd. Konain Dad, Gurusewak Singh.
Point of View
Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands signals a deliberate shift in how Indian Hockey is building its junior pipeline — prioritising quality of opposition over volume of fixtures. The real question is whether Frederic Soyez, arriving from a European coaching tradition, can rapidly instil a pressing, structured style on a squad that has largely been schooled in the faster, more instinctive Asian game. The presence of four Junior World Cup bronze medallists is a genuine asset, but the tour's value will ultimately be measured by how the coaching staff uses the losses — not just the wins — to recalibrate ahead of the Junior Asia Cup.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Indian junior men's hockey team touring in July 2026?
The Indian junior men's hockey team is on an exposure tour of Belgium from 7 to 17 July 2026. The squad will play five matches at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre and one match at the Hockey Centre of Excellence in Antwerp.
How many matches will India play on the Belgium tour?
India will play six matches in total — two each against Austria and Belgium, and one each against Germany and the Netherlands. The fixtures run from 7 to 17 July 2026.
Who is the captain of the Indian junior hockey team for the Belgium tour?
Defender Anmol Ekka has been named captain for the Belgium exposure tour. He was also part of the squad that won bronze at the FIH Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025.
Who is the new coach of the Indian junior men's hockey team?
Frederic Soyez is the newly appointed head coach of the Indian junior men's hockey team. The Belgium tour is his first assignment in charge of the side.
Why is the Belgium tour important for Indian junior hockey?
The tour is the primary preparatory assignment ahead of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior Asia Cup later in 2026. Facing top European junior sides — Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands — gives India a competitive benchmark well above what Asian opposition typically provides.
