Indian Men's Hockey Team Wins Asia Cup, Qualifies for World Cup
The Indian men's hockey team clinched its fourth Asia Cup title with a commanding 4-1 victory over defending champions South Korea in the final in Rajgir, Bihar. Sukhjeet Singh scored in the opening minute, followed by a brace from Dilpreet Singh and a goal from Amit Rohidas. The dominant performance throughout the tournament, where India remained unbeaten, also secured the team a direct qualification spot for the 2026 FIH World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
Unpacked:
This is India's fourth Asia Cup title, previously won in 2003, 2007, and 2017, placing them just behind South Korea, which has five titles. The win reinforces India's position as one of Asia's top hockey teams and provides momentum after recent challenges in international competitions.
India integrated younger players and made strategic team changes, with the selection committee phasing out underperforming seniors. Head coach Craig Fulton is noted for experimenting with new talent, which strengthened the squad’s depth and performance during the Asia Cup.
By winning the Asia Cup, India secured an automatic spot in the 2026 FIH World Cup, eliminating the need to compete in additional qualifiers. The World Cup will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14-30, 2026.
India and South Korea are the two most successful teams in Asia Cup history, with South Korea winning five times and India four. Their frequent appearances in finals have fueled a strong rivalry, often determining the tournament’s champion.