Amstelveen, Aug 15: Captain Harmanpreet Singh struck twice from penalty corners as India began their FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Wales here on Saturday, giving the team a perfect Independence Day boost in their bid to end a 51-year title drought.
India, who last won the men’s World Cup in 1975, overcame a slow start to take control of the Pool D contest and never allowed Wales to mount a serious comeback after establishing a two-goal cushion in the opening quarter.
Sanjay broke the deadlock in the eighth minute with a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner before Harmanpreet doubled India’s advantage three minutes later with a low effort.
India went into the first-quarter break 2-0 ahead after recovering from Wales’ early spell of possession and pressure.
Harmanpreet then delivered another decisive blow in the 43rd minute, converting India’s penalty corner with a low and powerful drag-flick to complete his brace and give the side a commanding 3-0 lead.
Wales managed to pull one goal back in the 56th minute through Sam Welsh after a penalty-stroke decision following a review. However, India remained composed in the closing stages and comfortably protected their lead.
The victory provides valuable momentum for Harmanpreet’s side ahead of two tougher Pool D encounters against England on August 17 and Pakistan on August 19.
India entered the tournament under the weight of a long wait for World Cup glory. Their only title came in 1975, when Ajit Pal Singh’s team defeated Pakistan in the final in Kuala Lumpur. India had also won bronze in 1971 and silver in 1973 but have not returned to the podium since.
Recent Olympic success, however, has strengthened belief within the Indian camp. The team won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics before repeating the feat at the Paris Games.
Harmanpreet is leading India at his second World Cup, becoming only the second Indian after Ajit Pal Singh to captain the country at two editions of the tournament.
The squad combines considerable experience with emerging talent. Manpreet Singh, India’s most-capped player with 417 international appearances, is featuring at his fourth World Cup, while Harmanpreet, Hardik Singh and Amit Rohidas form part of the experienced core.
Eight players are making their World Cup debuts, while the goalkeeping department is entering a new phase following PR Sreejesh’s retirement after the Paris Olympics. Suraj Karkera and Mohith HS are both appearing at their first World Cup.
Coach Craig Fulton has backed the blend of experience and youth, describing the team’s diversity as a major strength.
“We want to write our own piece of history in Indian hockey,” Fulton said ahead of the tournament.
“If you look at India’s legacy of the Olympics, it’s very, very powerful. But we last won a World Cup was 51 years ago. So we want to write our own piece of Indian history. That’s the big goal.”
Harmanpreet, meanwhile, said the team had arrived with the right approach and preparation.
“We have come here with the same passion, mindset and preparation,” he said.
“There is no pressure to win a medal in the World Cup; rather, it is our responsibility.”
Fulton also highlighted the balance within the squad, saying, “Our strength is our diversity.”
India’s opening win is particularly important under the tournament’s new format, which increases the value of points collected in the initial pool stage.
With third-ranked England and 12th-ranked Pakistan also in Pool D, India will have little room for complacency. The convincing win over Wales, therefore, not only earns three points but also provides an early statement of intent from a team chasing its first World Cup crown since 1975.
