The 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya will feature India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams pursuing continental titles with the added incentive of direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Hockey India has confirmed both 20-member squads, outlining the blend of experience and emerging talent that will travel to Japan for the competition, which runs from 19 September to 4 October 2026. This guide brings the confirmed squads, formats and pool schedules together for supporters following both Indian teams.

The Asian Games 2026 India hockey schedule is based on official announcements from Hockey India and the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF). It shows the leadership groups and the complete pool-stage sequence while leaving still-changeable push-back times and broadcast arrangements to the responsible organizers.

Reddy Anna Sports Quick Take: Hockey India has announced the men's and women's squads for the 2026 Asian Games, led by Harmanpreet Singh and Salima Tete, respectively. Both teams will compete in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19, aiming for gold medals that secure direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics.

India Men's Hockey Squad for the 2026 Asian Games

The Indian men's team enters the tournament as defending champions, having won gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Chief Coach Craig Fulton has selected an experienced 20-member squad designed to handle the pressure of a major continental event 1.

Harmanpreet Singh, the star defender and drag-flicker, will continue as captain. His leadership was central to the team's success in Hangzhou, and his role in the defensive line alongside Amit Rohidas and Jugraj Singh will be critical in Aichi-Nagoya. Veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh, India’s most-capped player, adds significant experience to the midfield, which also features Hardik Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad.

The attacking line relies on the proven abilities of Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, and Sukhjeet Singh to convert opportunities. Mohith HS and Suraj Karkera have been named as the two goalkeepers for the campaign.

Confirmed Men's 20-Member Squad

India Men's Pool A Match Schedule

The Asian Hockey Federation has confirmed the match schedule for the tournament, which will be played at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara. The men's competition features twelve teams divided into two pools of six. India has been drawn into Pool A 3.

The team will begin its title defence against Indonesia before facing a series of regional challengers, including Korea and the host nation, Japan.

Date Opponent Pool
20 September 2026 Indonesia Pool A
22 September 2026 Sri Lanka Pool A
24 September 2026 Korea Pool A
26 September 2026 Japan Pool A
28 September 2026 Bangladesh Pool A

Note: Final match timings will be confirmed closer to the tournament. Supporters should check official AHF or Hockey India channels for specific push-back times.

India Women's Hockey Squad for the 2026 Asian Games

The Indian women's team arrives at the Asian Games following a successful, unbeaten run at the FIH Nations Cup. Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne has selected a 20-member squad that balances experienced campaigners with players who recently made their senior debuts 2.

Salima Tete will captain the side, continuing the leadership role she held during the Nations Cup triumph. The midfield, marshalled by Tete, also includes Nikki Pradhan and Neha. The goalkeeping duties are entrusted to Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam.

The defence features Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam alongside Lalthantluangi and Shilpi Dabas, who were rewarded for their strong performances during their recent senior debuts. The forward line includes Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, and Beauty Dungdung, providing multiple attacking options for the team.

Confirmed Women's 20-Member Squad

India Women's Pool B Match Schedule

The official AHF schedule places India in Women’s Pool B with Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Uzbekistan 3. India begin against Uzbekistan before completing five pool matches across eight days.

Date Opponent Pool
20 September 2026 Uzbekistan Pool B
21 September 2026 Indonesia Pool B
23 September 2026 Thailand Pool B
25 September 2026 Japan Pool B
27 September 2026 Singapore Pool B

Note: The AHF schedule lists session times, but those allocations remain subject to final approval, broadcast requirements, venue operations and weather planning.

Tournament Format and Olympic Qualification

The hockey competitions at the Asian Games hold significant weight beyond the continental medals. The tournament is structured with a group stage followed by knockout rounds, where the top teams from each pool advance to the semi-finals. The winner of both the men's and women's tournaments will secure direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

This qualification pathway means the tournament is a primary objective for both Indian teams. Securing an early Olympic berth allows teams to plan their subsequent training cycles without the pressure of secondary qualifying tournaments. Chief Coach Craig Fulton explicitly stated that securing the Olympic spot is the "ultimate goal" for the men's squad, a sentiment that underscores the importance of every match in Aichi-Nagoya. The pressure of this qualification route often defines the intensity of the knockout stages, where tactical discipline and physical endurance become paramount.

While this guide focuses exclusively on the hockey competitions, supporters following India's broader campaign in Aichi-Nagoya can also refer to the Asian Games 2026 India cricket guide for details on the cricket squads and schedules.

The Challenge of the Pool Stage

Navigating the pool stage requires consistent performance and careful management of player workloads. For the men's team, Pool A presents a mix of playing styles. Matches against regional rivals like Korea and Japan will demand high tactical awareness. Japan, playing at home, will have the advantage of familiar conditions and local support, making their encounter with India a potentially pivotal fixture in determining the pool standings.

The women’s Pool B sequence also requires careful recovery management because India play on consecutive days at the start and then every other day through 27 September. Japan provide the host-nation challenge, while the other fixtures require the same concentration because pool position determines the knockout path. Captain Salima Tete’s leadership will be important in keeping the group focused across that compressed run.

This guide will be updated only when Hockey India, the AHF or the tournament organiser publishes a material schedule or squad change.

Managing Expectations and Form

Both Indian squads arrive with recent successes—the men as defending Asian Games champions and the women as FIH Nations Cup winners. However, past performance does not ensure future results in tournament hockey. The coaching staff will need to ensure that the players peak at the right time, balancing the need to secure early pool victories with the necessity of keeping key players fresh for the demanding knockout matches. The integration of newer players like Shilpi Dabas and Lalthantluangi into the high-pressure environment of the Asian Games will also be a key factor in the women's team's overall performance.

What Remains Unannounced

While the squads and the sequence of pool matches are confirmed, several operational details remain pending.

The Asian Hockey Federation has released the schedule, but its own note says session allocations can still change for broadcast, venue or weather requirements. The current source set also does not include a formal India television or streaming schedule from a rights holder.

Reddy Anna Sports will update viewing information only when an official broadcaster confirms its coverage plans. Until then, supporters should rely on official tournament platforms and avoid unverified streaming links. For guidance on verifying sports updates, readers can consult the cricket-news source-checking guide, which outlines principles applicable across major sporting events.

Sources

Editorial note: Reddy Anna Sports is an independent publication. Time-sensitive details are checked against the named sources and should be rechecked with the relevant governing body before travel or viewing plans.