India will begin their title defence in the men's hockey tournament at the Asian Games 2026 from Pool A after the official draw placed them alongside hosts Japan, Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
The hockey competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will be played at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan. The men's tournament is scheduled from September 20 to October 3, 2026, with 12 teams divided into two pools of six.
Asian Games 2026 men's hockey draw
India have been placed in Pool A along with five other teams. The pools were drawn based on the FIH world rankings as of May 1, 2026.
| Pool A | Pool B |
|---|---|
| India | Pakistan |
| Japan | Malaysia |
| Republic of Korea | China |
| Bangladesh | Oman |
| Sri Lanka | Uzbekistan |
| Indonesia | Thailand |
The men's competition features 12 teams, with six sides in each pool. India will face every team in Pool A during the pool stage.
India's Asian Games 2026 hockey schedule
India's opening match is against Indonesia on September 20. The defending champions will then face Sri Lanka, Korea, Japan and Bangladesh as they complete their Pool A campaign.
| Date | Match | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| September 20, 2026 | India vs Indonesia | 4:30 PM |
| September 22, 2026 | India vs Sri Lanka | 8:30 PM |
| September 24, 2026 | Korea vs India | 4:30 PM |
| September 26, 2026 | Japan vs India | 6:30 PM |
| September 28, 2026 | India vs Bangladesh | To be confirmed |
India enter as defending Asian Games champions
India will enter the tournament as the defending men's hockey champions. They won the gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and will now attempt to retain the title in Japan.
The 2026 tournament carries additional importance because the hockey gold medallists will earn qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
India's men's team will be captained by Harmanpreet Singh. Hockey India announced a 20-member squad for the Asian Games, combining experienced players with younger members of the national setup.
India's 2026 Asian Games hockey squad
Goalkeepers: Mohith HS, Suraj Karkera
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (c), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Yashdeep Siwach
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwards: Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek
Who are India's main Pool A opponents?
Japan
Japan will have home advantage and will be one of the teams India need to watch closely during the pool stage. The two sides are scheduled to meet on September 26.
South Korea
Korea are another established Asian hockey side and will provide India with a strong test. India and Korea are scheduled to meet on September 24.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh are also in Pool A and will face India in the final scheduled pool-stage match on September 28.
Sri Lanka
India's second match of the tournament will be against Sri Lanka on September 22. The match is scheduled for 8:30 PM IST.
Indonesia
Indonesia will provide India's opening challenge. India and Indonesia are scheduled to meet on September 20 at 4:30 PM IST.
Where will Asian Games 2026 hockey be played?
All men's hockey matches at the Asian Games 2026 are scheduled to be played at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan.
The women's hockey competition will also be held at the same venue, with the women's tournament scheduled from September 18 to October 2.
Asian Games 2026 hockey format
The men's hockey tournament features 12 teams divided into two pools of six. The teams will compete during the pool stage before the knockout phase determines the medal winners.
India's immediate objective will be to finish strongly in Pool A and progress to the knockout stages. The competition will also be closely followed because the eventual men's hockey champion will secure an Olympic qualification place for Los Angeles 2028.
India's road to another Asian Games hockey gold
India have a difficult but familiar group, with Japan and Korea providing the biggest tests on paper while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia complete Pool A.
With Harmanpreet Singh leading a squad that includes experienced internationals such as Manpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Hardik Singh and Mandeep Singh, India will start among the teams expected to challenge for the gold medal.
The key match in the pool could be India's meeting with Japan on September 26, particularly with the hosts playing in familiar conditions. The Korea match two days earlier will also be an important test of India's campaign.
Frequently asked questions
When does India play hockey at the Asian Games 2026?
India's men's hockey campaign begins on September 20, 2026, against Indonesia.
Which pool is India in at Asian Games 2026 hockey?
India are in Pool A with Japan, Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Who is India's hockey captain for Asian Games 2026?
Harmanpreet Singh is the captain of India's 20-member men's hockey squad.
Where will Asian Games 2026 hockey be played?
The hockey tournament is scheduled to be played at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan.
When is India vs Japan hockey at the Asian Games 2026?
India are scheduled to play Japan on September 26, 2026, at 6:30 PM IST.
Is Asian Games 2026 hockey important for the Olympics?
Yes. The men's hockey gold medallist at the Asian Games will secure qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Competition: Asian Games 2026
Sport: Men's Hockey
Host: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
Venue: Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium, Kakamigahara
India: Defending champions
India captain: Harmanpreet Singh
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