Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored two goals in 3-1 win against Wales in the opening match of Pool D

Riding on the wave of winning back-to-back bronze medals at the Olympic Games, Indian men’s hockey squad began their FIH World Cup campaign on a winning note. India last won the prestigious World Cup in 1975.

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored two goals in 3-1 win against Wales in the opening Pool D match of the FIH World Cup 2026 at Amstelveen’s Wagener Hockey Stadium on Saturday. The prestigious hockey World Cup is being jointly organised by Belgium and the Netherlands.

We played well to win the match, says Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh in the post-match interaction with FIH. He admitted that the players should create more chances to score field goals. India earned five penalty corners against Wales and converted three. “We will aim to create more chances to score field goals in the next match,” says the Indian skipper. He also got player of the match award. India next play England on August 17.

Indian team raced to 1-0 lead in the opening seven minutes through Sanjay and three minutes later Harmanpreet Singh made it 2-0. India’s third and Harmanpreet’s second goal was scored in the fourth quarter. Wales shot one back in the last quarter through Sam Welsh to make it 1-3.

EOM