Overview

• India concluded the European leg of the FIH Pro League in eighth place with seven straight losses, narrowly avoiding relegation but forfeiting direct World Cup qualification.
• The senior team has shifted its focus to the Asia Cup in Rajgir from August 27 to September 7, which now stands as its only path to the 2026 World Cup.
• Freshly retired Olympian P R Sreejesh is leading the junior squad’s buildup for the FIH Junior World Cup in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10.
• Building on last season’s bronze at the Sultan of Johor Cup and gold at the Junior Asia Cup, Sreejesh is emphasizing mental conditioning and sharing his tournament experience to ease pressure on young players.
• Bilateral tensions following Operation Sindoor have cast significant uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in Pool B of the Junior World Cup alongside India.