India U18 Hockey Asia Cup 2026: Men's, women's teams set for Japan campaign
Synopsis
India's U-18 men's and women's hockey squads head to Kakamigahara, Japan, for the Asia Cup 2026 with more than just medals on the line — these are the players being groomed for senior national duty. After a four-match Australia series in Bhopal, both teams believe they are ready. The tournament runs 29 May to 6 June, with semi-finals and a final that could define the next generation of Indian hockey.
Key Takeaways
India U-18 men's and women's hockey teams compete at the U-18 Asia Cup 2026 in Kakamigahara, Japan from 29 May to 6 June 2026 .
The men's team is captained by Ketan Kushwaha and coached by Sardar Singh and Rajnish Mishra ; the women's team is led by Sweety Kujur and coached by Rani .
Both squads played a four-match preparatory series against Australia in Bhopal ; the women's team won their final fixture.
The men's team is in Pool A with Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Kazakhstan; the women's team is in Pool A with Malaysia, Korea, and Singapore.
Semi-finals are scheduled for 5 June and the final for 6 June ; the top two teams from each pool advance.
Both the India U-18 men's and women's hockey teams are set to begin their U-18 Asia Cup 2026 campaign in Kakamigahara, Japan, with the tournament running from 29 May to 6 June 2026. The young Indian squads arrive in Japan backed by rigorous training camps and a competitive four-match series against Australia in Bhopal, aiming to announce themselves among Asia's best emerging hockey talent.
Men's Team: Preparation and Pool Fixtures
The India U-18 men's team, captained by forward Ketan Kushwaha, completed a month-long training camp at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central Centre at SAI, Bhopal, under the guidance of coaches Sardar Singh and Rajnish Mishra. Their preparatory series against the visiting Australian U-18 side yielded one win, one loss, and two draws — a mixed but instructive result ahead of the continental showdown.
India have been placed in Pool A of the men's draw, alongside hosts Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Kazakhstan. They open their campaign against Kazakhstan on 29 May at 9:30 am IST, before facing Japan on 31 May at 1:30 pm IST, Korea on 1 June at 3:30 pm IST, and Chinese Taipei on 3 June at 1:30 pm IST. Pool B consists of Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China. The top two teams from each pool advance to the semi-finals on 5 June, with the final on 6 June.
Captain Ketan said ahead of the opener: 'The team is feeling confident and excited ahead of the Asia Cup. The camp in Bhopal and the matches against Australia helped us improve a lot as a unit and understand the areas we need to work on. We know every match in the tournament will be competitive, but the squad is motivated to give its best and make the country proud.'
Women's Team: Camp Focus and Schedule
The India U-18 women's team, led by captain Sweety Kujur, concluded their national camp in Bhopal under coach Rani, with emphasis on sharpening team combinations, tactical awareness, and match fitness. Their preparatory four-match series against Australia ended on a high note, with the team securing a confidence-boosting win in the final fixture.
The women's side have been placed in Pool A, where they face Malaysia on 30 May at 5:30 am IST, Korea on 31 May at 5:30 am IST, and Singapore on 2 June at 9:30 am IST. Pool B features China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Bangladesh. As with the men's draw, the top two teams from each pool proceed to the semi-finals on 5 June and the final on 6 June.
Captain Sweety said: 'The entire squad is excited to finally begin the tournament. We have trained really hard over the past few weeks and the Australia matches gave us important match exposure before the Asia Cup. The team has developed strong understanding during the camp and everyone is eager to perform well.'
Key Fixtures at a Glance
For the men's team: India vs Kazakhstan — 29 May, 9:30 am IST; India vs Japan — 31 May, 1:30 pm IST; India vs Korea — 1 June, 3:30 pm IST; India vs Chinese Taipei — 3 June, 1:30 pm IST. For the women's team: India vs Malaysia — 30 May, 5:30 am IST; India vs Korea — 31 May, 5:30 am IST; India vs Singapore — 2 June, 9:30 am IST.
What's at Stake
The U-18 Asia Cup serves as a critical development platform, with performances here often shaping selection pathways to senior national squads. This is the first major continental outing for several players in both squads, making the Kakamigahara campaign a significant early test of India's emerging hockey pipeline. The semi-finals and final on 5 and 6 June will determine Asia's top junior hockey nations of 2026.
Point of View
But it is precisely where India's hockey future gets decided. The mixed men's result against Australia — one win, one loss, two draws — suggests a squad that is competitive but not yet dominant, which is exactly the honest baseline needed before a continental tournament. More telling will be how both teams perform against Korea and Japan, the region's perennial junior powerhouses. If the women's camp-ending win over Australia is a sign of momentum rather than a one-off, Sweety Kujur's side could be the more compelling story out of Kakamigahara.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the U-18 Hockey Asia Cup 2026?
The U-18 Hockey Asia Cup 2026 is being held in Kakamigahara, Japan, from 29 May to 6 June 2026. Both India's men's and women's U-18 teams are participating in the tournament.
Who is captaining the India U-18 men's hockey team at the Asia Cup?
Forward Ketan Kushwaha is captaining the India U-18 men's hockey team at the Asia Cup 2026 in Japan. The team was coached during its Bhopal camp by Sardar Singh and Rajnish Mishra.
Who leads the India U-18 women's hockey team at the Asia Cup 2026?
Sweety Kujur captains the India U-18 women's hockey team at the Asia Cup 2026. The squad was guided by coach Rani during their national camp in Bhopal ahead of the tournament.
What is India's schedule at the U-18 Hockey Asia Cup 2026?
The men's team plays Kazakhstan on 29 May, Japan on 31 May, Korea on 1 June, and Chinese Taipei on 3 June. The women's team faces Malaysia on 30 May, Korea on 31 May, and Singapore on 2 June. Semi-finals are on 5 June and the final on 6 June.
How did India prepare for the U-18 Asia Cup 2026?
Both the men's and women's squads held intensive training camps at the SAI centre in Bhopal and played four-match preparatory series against the Australian U-18 teams. The men's series ended with one win, one loss, and two draws, while the women's team secured a win in their final match against Australia.
