The idea of a “2025 Men’s Hockey World Cup” can be confusing. In fact, the next official FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup will take place in 2026, hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. For India, the road to that tournament goes through the Asia Cup in 2025. This event, played in Rajgir, Bihar, is more than a regional championship. It is the direct ticket to the World Cup, and the Indian team must win it to qualify without complications.
At the same time, Indian hockey is under heavy pressure. The team has shown great strength in Asia but has struggled against top European sides. Fans follow every step closely, and discussions go beyond the field — from national pride to sports betting and sponsorships. Even platforms like Glory Сasino reflect this growing interest, as many people connect sports and gaming when big tournaments are near. For the players, however, the focus remains only on one thing: securing their place at the 2026 World Cup.
Asia Cup 2025: The First Big Test
The Asia Cup in Rajgir is not just another tournament. For India, it is the most important step on the road to the 2026 World Cup. Winning it means a direct spot in Belgium and the Netherlands. Losing it would make the road harder, with more qualifiers and more pressure.
India started as the top-ranked team in Asia, but the first matches showed both promise and problems. They won, but the scorelines were closer than expected, and the defense looked vulnerable. Much of the pressure fell on captain Harmanpreet Singh, whose drag flicks carried the team in tough moments.
| Match | Result | Key Notes |
| India vs. China | 4–3 (Win) | Harmanpreet Singh scored a hat-trick. Defense conceded three penalty-corner goals. |
| India vs. Japan | 3–2 (Win) | Early lead lost; Suraj Karkera’s saves and Vivek Sagar Prasad’s defensive work saved the day. |
Two wins meant progress to the Super 4s, but the manner of victory told another story. India was stronger on paper, yet could not dominate. Smaller Asian teams know how to frustrate India: they defend deep, wait for counterattacks, and punish mistakes. This has been a recurring problem. To qualify for the World Cup and to dream of medals, India needs to turn narrow wins into commanding performances.
Lessons from the 2024–25 Pro League
India’s Pro League season showed two very different faces. At home in Bhubaneswar, the team looked confident and beat strong European sides. But the European leg turned into a nightmare, with seven losses in a row. This collapse cost India a direct World Cup ticket and exposed problems in defense, goalkeeping, and late-game focus.
| Leg | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Notes |
| Home (Bhubaneswar) | Spain | Win | 2–0 | Solid defense, clear chances taken. |
| Home | Germany | Win | 1–0 | Disciplined structure, clean sheet. |
| Home | Ireland | Win | 4–0 | Attack looked sharp, strong teamwork. |
| Home | England | Win | 2–1 | Crowd support helped in tight finish. |
| Europe (Amsterdam/Antwerp) | Netherlands | Loss | 1–2 | Narrow defeat, late goal conceded. |
| Europe | Argentina | Loss | 3–4 | Errors in circle, poor finishing. |
| Europe | Australia | Loss | 2–3 | Led 2–0, but collapsed in final minutes. |
| Europe | Belgium | Loss | 3–6 | Defense fell apart under pressure. |
The contrast is clear. At home, India looked like a top-five team. In Europe, small mistakes grew into big defeats. Conceding late goals became a pattern, and without Harmanpreet Singh on the pitch, penalty corners were wasted. The goalkeeper duo Pathak and Karkera also struggled with consistency. These weaknesses are now the main focus for coach Craig Fulton and his staff.
Craig Fulton’s New Plan and the Role of the Mind
When Craig Fulton became head coach in 2023, his job was clear: make India harder to beat. Instead of relying only on fast attacks, he brought a European style built on defense, structure, and patience. The idea is simple — if you defend well and keep the ball, you control the game. Players are asked to work as one unit, with even forwards helping in defense.
But tactics alone are not enough. In Europe, India often lost focus in the last minutes, even when leading. Fulton believes this is more a mental problem than a technical one. That is why sports psychologist Paddy Upton is now a full part of the team. He works with players one by one and in groups, teaching them how to stay calm under pressure.
The team has even done unusual training, like a camp in the Swiss Alps before the Paris Olympics. Players had to cross glaciers, tied together with ropes, depending on each other for safety. The goal was not fitness but mental toughness — learning to stay strong when fear and stress are high.
For Fulton, this is key. His “defend to win” plan only works if players stay disciplined until the final whistle. Without mental strength, even the best tactics fail. That is why building focus and confidence has become just as important as fitness and skills.
The Team Behind the Blue Shirts
At the Asia Cup 2025, India picked a squad full of experience. The message was clear: in high-pressure games, you need players who have already been tested.
| Player | Position | Key Role |
| Krishan Bahadur Pathak | Goalkeeper | Needs to be more confident with high balls. |
| Suraj Karkera | Goalkeeper | Great reflexes, but must stay steady under pressure. |
| Harmanpreet Singh (C) | Defender | Captain, drag-flick expert, leader of the defense. |
| Amit Rohidas | Defender | Penalty corner rusher, strong in tackles. |
| Sumit | Defender | Can play both defense and midfield, very hard-working. |
| Jarmanpreet Singh | Defender | Adds stability at the back. |
| Sanjay | Defender | Young, also a drag-flick option. |
| Jugraj Singh | Defender | Another drag-flicker, needs more consistency. |
| Manpreet Singh | Midfielder | Former captain, controls the rhythm of play. |
| Hardik Singh (VC) | Midfielder | The engine of the team, breaks lines with speed. |
| Vivek Sagar Prasad | Midfielder | Creative, quick, helps both attack and defense. |
| Rajinder Singh | Midfielder | Reliable, adds balance in the middle. |
| Raj Kumar Pal | Midfielder | Provides extra depth and options. |
| Mandeep Singh | Forward | Veteran striker, clever movement in the circle. |
| Abhishek | Forward | Fast and skillful, a standout in Pro League. |
| Sukhjeet Singh | Forward | Good at linking play and creating chances. |
| Shilanand Lakra | Forward | Uses pace to stretch defenses. |
| Dilpreet Singh | Forward | Strong finisher with a powerful shot. |
India’s squad shows balance: strong leaders like Harmanpreet and Manpreet, young talent like Sanjay, and reliable attackers like Mandeep. The big question is whether the goalkeepers and defense can hold firm against pressure from top teams.
Behind the players, there is also a large support staff — coaches, analysts, physios, and mental trainers. Hockey India has kept the same team of experts until 2028, showing they want stability and long-term progress.
Hockey India’s Long-Term Plan
The success of the men’s team is not only about players and coaches. Behind them stands Hockey India and strong government support. The plan is not just for 2026, but also for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
One key step is hosting the Junior World Cup in December 2025 in Chennai and Madurai. This tournament will bring 24 teams, including Pakistan’s juniors, and give India’s young players world-level experience at home. For many of them, it will be the bridge to the senior team in 2028 and beyond.
Money and infrastructure also play a big role. Through programs like Khelo India and Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), the government pays for training camps, travel, equipment, and even monthly allowances for players. In recent years, over ₹100 crore has been invested in men’s and women’s hockey. Dozens of new synthetic turfs have been built around the country, making it easier for young players to train on world-class surfaces.
Another important move is the revival of the Hockey India League (HIL). This professional league lets Indian players compete alongside stars from other nations. It gives them experience in high-pressure matches and financial rewards that make hockey a stronger career option.
Finally, continuity in coaching is a priority. Craig Fulton and his entire staff have contracts until 2028. This ensures that the philosophy, training methods, and player development do not get disrupted, as often happened in the past.