Overview
- Several senior regulars, including Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh, are rested, as are first-choice goalkeepers Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera.
- The event runs from November 23 to 30 in Ipoh, Malaysia in a round-robin format with the top two teams meeting in the final on November 30.
- India opens against Korea on November 23 before facing Belgium, Malaysia, New Zealand and Canada on November 24, 26, 27 and 29 respectively.
- Pawan and Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar are the selected goalkeepers, with defenders such as Jugraj Singh and Amit Rohidas named and standbys Varun Kumar, Vishnu Kant Singh, Hardik Singh and Angad Bir Singh listed.
- Chief coach Craig Fulton says the tournament will sharpen structure and decision-making toward 2026, noting India last won the title in 2010 and finished runners-up in 2019.