New Delhi: Veteran Indian midfielder Manpreet Singh is determined to make his fourth Hockey World Cup appearance a memorable one as India look to end a 51-year wait for their second men’s world title. The 34-year-old two-time Olympic medallist will feature in the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands, which gets underway on Saturday. India’s only World Cup triumph came in 1975, and Manpreet is eager to help the team add another title to its record.
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For Manpreet, the tournament carries added personal significance as it could be his final World Cup appearance. He said the team has won medals at the last two Olympic Games but is still missing a World Cup medal. The experienced midfielder believes India have the talent, preparation and confidence to challenge for the title. He has backed the side to reach the final, stressing the importance of emotional balance, discipline and players sticking to their individual roles. India have been drawn in Pool D alongside Wales, England and arch-rivals Pakistan. The team will begin its campaign against Wales on Saturday before taking on England and Pakistan.
Manpreet also cautioned against underestimating any opponent, saying India’s past World Cup experiences have shown the importance of treating every match with equal seriousness. The veteran highlighted the squad’s blend of youth and experience, with senior players expected to guide younger members. India have also placed considerable emphasis on fitness and defensive organisation during their preparations. With captain Harmanpreet Singh leading the side, India will hope their recent Olympic success can be converted into World Cup glory. For Manpreet, the objective is clear — make his potential final World Cup a campaign to remember and help India finally end its long wait for the coveted trophy.
