Former India captain and two-time Olympic medallist PR Sreejesh has backed the Indian men's hockey team to reach the semifinals of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026, calling a top-four finish the minimum acceptable target while describing anything beyond that — a medal — as 'a bonus'. The tournament begins on 14 August and runs through 30 August, hosted across Wavre, Belgium and Amstelveen, the Netherlands.

Sreejesh's Assessment of India's Chances

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Sreejesh expressed clear confidence in the current squad's capability. 'In my opinion, the way this team is set up and the progress we have made, a top four finish is the minimum we should aim for. Looking at the pool we have been drawn in, we have the quality and the depth to achieve that,' he said.

He added: 'Anything beyond that — silver, gold, or bronze — would be a bonus. The team is playing with confidence, and we have the experience to handle big games. We should not settle for less. The target is clear; we are here to compete and make our mark.'

The Pressure of the World Cup Stage

Sreejesh, who retired after winning a second consecutive Olympic bronze at the Paris 2024 Games, acknowledged the weight that comes with competing at the world's second-biggest hockey event. 'The FIH Hockey World Cup is the second biggest tournament in hockey after the Olympics, and naturally, the whole world is watching, and all eyes are on you. That brings a lot of pressure,' he said.

His advice to the current squad was measured: 'Stay calm, focus on your role, and trust your training. Most importantly, you are playing in the World Cup. This is what you have worked for. Just enjoy the moment and give your best on the pitch.'

India's World Cup Drought — Five Decades Without a Semifinal

The stakes are considerable. India, the 1975 World Cup champions, have not featured in a World Cup semifinal for five decades. The drought makes Sreejesh's confidence all the more significant — it comes from a player who witnessed India's resurgence at the Olympic level firsthand, having been part of the bronze-medal campaigns at both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

Those two consecutive Olympic bronzes ended a four-decade medal drought at the Games and represent the clearest signal yet that Indian hockey has genuinely rebuilt its competitive core. A World Cup semifinal berth would mark the next logical step in that trajectory.

Tournament Format and Defending Champions

The 16th edition of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup features 16 teams — the third time the expanded format has been used since 2018. Defending champions Germany won the 2023 title in Bhubaneswar, defeating Belgium 5–4 in a shootout after the final ended 3–3 in regulation time.

With the tournament now days away, all eyes will be on whether India's renewed confidence translates into a historic run deep into the knockout rounds.