As Indian hockey embarks on a new journey under coach Craig Fulton, the focus has shifted towards creating a youthful, dynamic team ready for the challenges of the 2026 World Cup. Fulton, fresh from leading India to a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics and a triumphant Asian Champions Trophy win, is already preparing for the next phase, focusing on nurturing fresh talent.
Speaking after India’s recent victory over China in the Asian Champions Trophy final, Fulton offered a glimpse into his long-term strategy. He stressed the importance of building a team that could last through the 2026 World Cup and beyond, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Tour to Europe for young players
In the immediate future, Fulton’s plans include a tour of the Netherlands and Belgium later this year. This tour will feature an under-25 squad, carefully selected to build a team capable of competing at the highest level over the next four years. The focus is clear: to broaden the team’s depth and give younger players the international exposure they need to thrive in major tournaments.
“We’re trying to open up the net and broaden the depth of the squad,” Fulton said, signalling his intent to provide opportunities to emerging talent. His plan includes multiple training camps and tours, with a strong emphasis on preparing younger players for the World Cup and the Olympics.
Shift from to long-term thinking for 2026 World Cup
In contrast to the short-term planning that characterised Indian hockey in the past, Fulton is introducing a long-term strategy. With his contract extended until the 2028 Olympics, Fulton is in a unique position to focus on sustainable success, allowing him to implement a broader vision without the pressure of immediate results.
This shift in mindset is already paying off. The youthful Indian team dominated the Asian Champions Trophy, winning all seven of their matches, scoring the most goals and conceding the fewest. The tournament also showcased the potential of India’s younger forwards, such as Araijeet Singh Hundal, Uttam Singh, and Gurjot Singh, who delivered strong performances despite their limited international experience.
Transitioning forward line for India Hockey Team
The upcoming World Cup and Olympics cycles will likely see a significant overhaul in India’s forward line. Key forwards like Mandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, and Gurjant Singh are approaching their 30s, raising questions about their longevity at the highest level. In the Asian Champions Trophy, younger players like Hundal, Uttam, and Gurjot proved they could step up and potentially take over from the experienced trio in the near future.
With Sukhjeet Singh and Abhishek leading the charge, Fulton has options to ensure a smooth transition. He plans to give these younger forwards more game time, giving them the opportunity to develop into key players for India.
Strong defensive reinforcements for Indian Hockey
India’s midfield remains a strong point, with experienced players like Manpreet Singh and emerging stars like Vivek Sagar Prasad and Hardik Singh forming the backbone of the team. The midfield depth is one of India’s key assets heading into the World Cup.
However, the team still faces challenges in defence, particularly in terms of over-reliance on Harmanpreet Singh for penalty corners. But the emergence of Amir Ali as a composed defender offers Fulton another valuable option in the back-line.
Craig Fulton vision for future
The Asian Champions Trophy marked the beginning of a new era for Indian hockey, according to Fulton, who hinted at more changes in the lead-up to the World Cup. “This is the first step. Who knows? It might be a new-look team,” he said.
Fulton’s forward-thinking approach is a breath of fresh air for Indian hockey. By focusing on developing younger talent and preparing the team for long-term success, he is laying the foundation for a stronger, more competitive Indian side at the 2026 World Cup and beyond.
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