'The sessions have been sharp and competitive': Coach Fulton confident as India enter final month of WC preparations
New Delhi, July 15
With exactly one month to go before the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 gets underway, Indian men's hockey chief coach Craig Fulton says the squad has returned to camp refreshed and is steadily building intensity as preparations enter the decisive phase for the sport's showpiece event.
The World Cup, scheduled from August 15 to 30, will be a landmark edition, with the men's and women's tournaments being staged simultaneously for the first time at the same venues in Belgium and the Netherlands. Both Indian teams are currently training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Bengaluru ahead of the tournament.
India's men's team heads into the World Cup encouraged by a productive European leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League, where it registered notable wins over reigning world champions Germany, Olympic champions the Netherlands and arch-rivals Pakistan, while also putting in a competitive display against England.
Speaking about the atmosphere in the ongoing national camp, Fulton said the players have resumed training with renewed enthusiasm after their break following the Pro League.
"The players have come into the camp fresh (after a break following the Pro League tour of Europe), and you can see it in the energy on the pitch. The sessions have been sharp and competitive, with everyone eager to be back together. The first few days had been about getting the legs moving again, re-establishing our standards and now we are gradually building the intensity as we prepare for the World Cup," Fulton said.
The 1975 world champions have been drawn in Pool D alongside England, Pakistan and Wales. India will open its campaign against Wales on August 15 before facing England on August 17 and Pakistan on August 19. While England are expected to provide a stern challenge after a series of closely contested meetings in the FIH Pro League, the clash against Pakistan remains one of the most anticipated fixtures of the group stage.
Fulton explained that the coaching staff has adopted a phased approach to training, with an emphasis on physical conditioning before gradually shifting focus to tactical execution and decision-making.
"We're doing strong conditioning work early in the week to build our physical base, before moving into more tactical, unit-based sessions as the week progresses. We're also doing a lot of small-sided games to keep decision-making sharp under fatigue, alongside daily video reviews to reinforce learning and specific work on our press and counter. It's about improving what we're already good at and continuing to build on those strengths," he added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I love that both men's and women's teams are training together at SAI Bangalore. The women's team has been doing so well too, making us all proud. Hope the pressure of a home crowd (in terms of time zones, at least) doesn't get to them. Stay focused, girls and boys! 💪
I appreciate the coach's emphasis on conditioning and small-sided games. But I hope we're also working on penalty corners - that's been our Achilles heel in big tournaments. We have the talent, but execution under pressure is key. Fulton should look at that. Otherwise, good planning.
That Pakistan match on August 19 is going to be epic! The Pro League win was sweet, but a World Cup group match is a different beast altogether. The boys need to keep their cool and not get emotional. Wales first though - one game at a time! 🇮🇳🔥
As someone who follows hockey globally, India's progress under Fulton has been impressive. The tactical approach with video reviews and unit-based sessions is exactly what top teams do. But Germany and Netherlands will have studied our weaknesses too. The real test is in the knockout stages. Wishing the team all the best!
So proud of our hockey teams! Especially after the Tokyo Olympics bronze, expectations are high. I just hope the players stay injury-free in camp and carry that Pro League confidence into the World Cup. The simultaneous men's and women's tournament is a great concept - double the excitement! 😊
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