NEW DELHI, August 17, 2026: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has congratulated India’s men’s and women’s national hockey teams on their participation in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, being staged in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30.
The IOA described the presence of both Indian teams at the World Cup as a significant achievement for Indian hockey and said it reflected the sport’s continued progress and competitiveness at the highest international level.
According to the IOA, India is the only South Asian nation with both its men’s and women’s teams competing in this year’s FIH Hockey World Cup.
The association also underlined the importance of the tournament in the broader preparation cycle for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
With the Asian Games approaching, the World Cup is expected to provide both Indian squads with valuable experience against top international opposition and help them sharpen the tactical, physical and mental aspects required for major multi-sport competitions.
PT Usha Backs Both Indian Teams
Indian Olympic Association President Dr. P.T. Usha congratulated the players, coaches and support staff of both teams and wished them success at the tournament.
She said competing against the world’s best teams at a World Cup is an important part of an athlete’s high-performance journey and that the experience gained in Europe would be valuable as India builds towards the 2026 Asian Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Usha also expressed confidence in both squads, saying the Asian Games would provide another major opportunity for the teams to test themselves in a multi-sport environment and continue building towards India’s Olympic ambitions.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey Highlights Preparation
Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Kumar Tirkey said the participation of both teams reflected the hard work, discipline and ambition of the athletes, coaches and support staff.
He said preparations for the World Cup had been meticulous and that both squads were entering the competition with a strong tactical approach and the determination to compete against the best teams in the world.
Tirkey added that the World Cup assumes even greater importance because of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, with the tournament forming an important part of India’s preparation and competitive pathway.
World Cup an Important Step Towards Asian Games and LA 2028
The IOA said the World Cup forms an important stage in India’s pursuit of excellence in hockey. The competitive experience gained in Belgium and the Netherlands is expected to contribute to preparations for the Asian Games and also form part of the longer-term high-performance journey towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The IOA and Hockey India have jointly extended their support and best wishes to both Indian teams as they compete on the global stage.
The association reiterated that it remains committed to supporting Indian athletes and teams preparing for major international competitions and to strengthening India’s overall pursuit of excellence within the Olympic Movement.
Source: Indian Olympic Association press release dated August 17, 2026.
