Amsterdam, August 15: The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, is set to kick off on Saturday. Ahead of India’s opening match, head coach Craig Fulton expressed that his team will draw inspiration from the nation’s World Cup victory in 1975 to deliver an outstanding performance.
The Indian team, which has won the Olympic gold medal eight times, is celebrating the golden jubilee of its 1975 World Cup triumph. Coach Fulton stated that this victory will serve as a significant motivation for their campaign, which begins on Saturday against Wales at the Wagner Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.
On the eve of the opening match, both Indian coach Fulton and Wales head coach Danny Newcombe shared their thoughts on the upcoming match, the overall campaign, and tournament preparations. Pool D includes India and Wales, along with England and Pakistan.
Fulton emphasized that the team’s preparation has focused on consistently playing well, making better decisions under pressure, and adopting their “press-counter-outcome philosophy.” He noted, “This is a special year for us. It has been 50 years since India’s World Cup victory. That history provides real inspiration for this campaign. Our preparation has been centered around playing well, making better decisions under pressure, and embracing our philosophy.”
Fulton added that the team will concentrate on one match at a time to ensure they are in the best position to compete for the title. He remarked, “The players’ commitment has been fantastic—they are setting standards and motivating each other every day. We understand how tough the competition will be, but we trust our process. Our approach is simple: one game at a time, giving our all, honoring that legacy, and positioning ourselves to compete for the title.”
Before their opening match in Pool D, Wales head coach Danny Newcombe stated, “Qualifying for the World Cup for the second consecutive time is a testament to this special group’s commitment and quality. We are proud to be here, and our goal is clear: to compete against the best teams in the world. This is the challenge we have earned through our hard work, and we are ready to embrace it.”
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