Veteran Indian hockey midfielder Manpreet Singh has entered the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup with a clear ambition to achieve a milestone that has remained beyond his decorated career. The experienced player has indicated that this could be his final World Cup appearance and wants to make the opportunity count by helping India challenge for the title.
Manpreet is playing in his fourth World Cup and has already achieved several major honours with the Indian team. However, a World Cup medal remains one of the notable achievements missing from his collection. He has said that the possibility of this being his final World Cup has given him additional motivation to achieve what India has not managed to do for more than five decades.
India's only men's Hockey World Cup title came in 1975. The team has therefore entered the 2026 tournament facing a 51 year wait for another championship. The current squad is hoping to create a new chapter in Indian hockey history.
Manpreet believes the team has the necessary talent and experience to make a deep run in the competition. He has expressed confidence in the squad's ability to reach the final and compete for the trophy.
The midfielder's confidence comes after India produced strong results at the Olympic Games. The team won bronze medals at both the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the Paris 2024 Olympics, demonstrating that Indian hockey has returned to the podium at major international events.
Despite those Olympic successes, the World Cup remains an important missing achievement for Manpreet and the current generation of Indian players. He has therefore approached the tournament with the mindset that every match could be particularly significant.
Manpreet has also highlighted the importance of maintaining the same mentality that helped India succeed at the last two Olympic Games. The team will need consistency, discipline and confidence if it is to progress through a highly competitive World Cup.
India enters the 2026 tournament under captain Harmanpreet Singh. The team has been drawn in Pool D alongside England, Pakistan and Wales. India will begin its campaign against Wales in Amstelveen, Netherlands, before facing England and Pakistan.
Harmanpreet's leadership will be another important factor for the Indian team. Hockey India has described him as one of the world's leading defenders and drag flick specialists, while his experience will be particularly valuable during crucial penalty corner situations.
Manpreet also brings considerable experience to the midfield. His role is not limited to his performances on the field, as his experience from multiple Olympic Games and World Cups can help guide younger members of the squad.
The veteran midfielder recently became India's most capped hockey player, further highlighting his longevity at the highest level. His international career has spanned more than a decade, giving him considerable experience of major tournaments and high pressure matches.
For Manpreet, however, personal milestones are secondary to the team's objective. His main focus is helping India reach the World Cup podium and potentially win the country's second men's World Cup title.
The 2026 edition provides a significant opportunity because India has a balanced squad featuring experienced players alongside younger talent. Hockey India's squad announcement emphasised defensive strength, midfield creativity and attacking options as important components of the team's campaign.
The tournament begins on August 15, and India's opening match against Wales will immediately put the team on the path toward its larger objective. A strong start will be important before the more challenging pool encounters against England and Pakistan.
For Manpreet Singh, the tournament carries an additional personal dimension. After participating in three previous World Cups, he now has the opportunity to pursue the one major achievement that remains absent from his international career.
His message to the team is one of belief rather than pressure. Manpreet feels India possesses the ability to reach the final and compete for the championship. Whether the team can convert that confidence into results will become clear as the tournament progresses.
The 2026 Hockey World Cup could therefore become a defining tournament for both Manpreet Singh and Indian hockey. After 51 years without a World Cup title, India will be looking to turn its recent Olympic success into World Cup glory, while Manpreet will hope to make what could be his final appearance at the tournament a historic one