By Soumya Ranjan India advanced to the FIH World Cup as continental champions after defeating South Korea 4-1 in the Hockey Asia Cup 2025 final. With six goals apiece, Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek finish as India’s top goal scorers.
India defeated South Korea 4-1 on Sunday in Rajgir to secure their place in the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, continuing their winning streak in the Hockey Asia Cup 2025 final. India finished fourth overall and won its first Asia Cup since 2017. Belgium and the Netherlands will co-host the Hockey World Cup the following year.
India took the lead as early as the third minute after crushing China 7-0, thanks to a goal from Sukhjeet Singh. Before the second quarter ended, Dilpreet Singh added a second goal to give the home team a two-goal lead.
Just at the end of the third quarter, Dilpreet scored his second goal of the evening, and five minutes later, Amit Rohidas added the fourth from a penalty corner. Dain Son gave South Korea a response in the 51st minute, but it was too late for the visitors by then.
How many teams are in the running for the FIH World Cup in 2026?
16 teams will advance to the FIH World Cup in 2026. India thus joins the hosts, the Netherlands and Belgium, Australia (winners of the FIH Pro League 2023-24), Spain (third place finisher in the FIH Pro League 2024-25), Argentina (winners of the Pan American Cup 2025), Germany (finalists in the EuroHockey Championships 2025), and New Zealand (winners of the Oceania Cup 2025).
Eight positions are still available. The FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers in 2026 will determine the other seven, with one coming from the continental competition in Africa.
India’s World Cup hockey performance
India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1975 World Cup was their only World Cup victory. For the unknowable, India had placed third in 1971 and second in 1973. India will be participating in its 16th hockey World Cup. India placed ninth in the most recent edition, which took place in 2023.