Sport · India Bureau
India's hockey squads set for Asian Games 2026 pool stage encounters
The Indian men's and women's hockey teams have received their pool-stage schedules for the 2026 Asian Games, with matches spanning late September. Both squads will face competitive opposition across their respective pools.
LSN India ·
India's women's hockey team will begin their Asian Games 2026 campaign against Indonesia on September 21, followed by encounters with Thailand on September 23, Japan on September 25, and Singapore on September 27. The team's four-match pool phase will determine their progression in the tournament.
The men's contingent has been drawn alongside Sri Lanka, South Korea, Japan, and Bangladesh in their pool. India will open their account against Sri Lanka on September 22, before facing South Korea on September 24, Japan on September 26, and Bangladesh on September 28.
The staggered scheduling for both squads ensures that India's primary rivals in the region—particularly South Korea and Japan—will face the Indian teams on different dates. The women's team will contend with strong Southeast Asian sides and Japan, while the men navigate competition from the Korean powerhouse and other regional competitors.
Both teams' progression from the pool stage will depend on their performances across these four matches. The schedule places significant importance on India's opening encounters, with early victories potentially setting momentum for the latter stages of the Asian Games.