"Every Team is Here to Win": Harmanpreet Singh Sets the Stage for Asian Champions Trophy
India aims for a third consecutive Asian Champions Trophy title in Punjab. Captain Harmanpreet Singh warns against underestimating rivals.
International hockey makes a grand return to the heartland of Punjab as the Indian men's team prepares to defend their crown at the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) 2026. Starting October 27 in Jalandhar, the hosts enter the tournament as the team to beat, carrying the momentum of their recent Asian Games gold medal success in Japan.
Home Turf Advantage in Punjab
Hosting the tournament in Punjab provides a poetic backdrop for the Indian squad, as the state has historically been a powerhouse, producing generations of legendary hockey players. The team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh—who recently guided India to consecutive Asian Games golds—will play before a passionate home crowd.
India arrives with a formidable record, having clinched the Asian Champions Trophy five times (2011, 2016, 2018, 2023, and 2024). Their most recent victory occurred in Hulunbuir, China, where a decisive goal by Jugraj Singh secured a 1-0 win in the final. Now, the goal is clear: achieve a hat-trick of titles after their previous triumph in Chennai in 2023.
Squad Shifts and Captain's Warning
The road to victory has hit a slight bump with the loss of star playmaker and former captain Manpreet Singh, who has been ruled out due to a calf injury. In his stead, midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad has been drafted into the squad to maintain the team's creative engine under coach Craig Fulton.
"Every team is here to compete and win the tournament. All the teams are strong, and we do not want to take any opponent lightly. Everyone has come here to give their best," said captain Harmanpreet Singh.
Harmanpreet emphasized that while the Indian team has matured and gained significant experience, they will approach every match with a mindset of respect for their opponents.
The Competition: Who Stands in India's Way?
India will face five continental rivals in a single round-robin format:
- Malaysia: The Asian Games runners-up who are eager to avenge their loss to India.
- South Korea: A consistent powerhouse that finished fourth at the Asian Games.
- Japan: Two-time runners-up looking to bounce back after a fifth-place finish at the Asian Games.
- China: A determined side looking to disrupt the hosts' rhythm.
- Bangladesh: The opening opponents for India, hoping to apply lessons learned from previous encounters.
Tournament Roadmap and Schedule
The ninth edition of the ACT will see all six teams play each other once. The top four teams from the league stage will advance to the semi-finals.
League Stage (Jalandhar)
All league matches will be held at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium from October 27 to November 2. India's schedule is as follows:
- October 27: vs Bangladesh (19:20 IST)
- October 29: vs China (19:00 IST)
- October 30: vs Japan (19:00 IST)
- November 1: vs Malaysia (19:00 IST)
- November 2: vs South Korea (19:00 IST)
The Grand Finale (Mohali)
The action will then shift to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali for the knockout stages:
- November 4: Semi-finals
- November 5: Bronze and Gold medal matches
A Cultural Celebration
The tournament kicks off with a glittering opening ceremony before the India-Bangladesh clash. Spectators can expect a vibrant display of Punjabi culture, featuring traditional Bhangra and Gidha dances, alongside Gatka, the traditional Sikh martial art. The festivities will be further elevated by a high-tech laser show and musical performances.
In a move to encourage maximum attendance, Hockey India has announced that entry for spectators will be free at both the Jalandhar and Mohali venues.