New Delhi [India], May 27 (ANI): Indian men's hockey coach Craig Fulton said that the European leg of the FIH Pro League is exactly what the team needs before the World Cup this year, saying that 'tough tests against world-class opposition' will help them understand where they stand in terms of preparations.

Hockey India on Wednesday announced a formidable 24-member Indian men's hockey team for the upcoming European leg of the FIH Pro League 2025-26. Harmanpreet Singh returns to lead the side after a break for personal reasons during the Hobart leg of the Pro League in February this year.

Team India will play a friendly match in Belgium and will play matches in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the co-host country for the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, along with Belgium. After securing the 2025 Asia Cup, Team India secured a direct qualification to the marquee tournament. After two back-to-back bronze medals at the Olympics, Team India will be eyeing to win the World Cup after 51 years.

Commenting on the squad selection and the upcoming Pro League matches in Europe, Chief Coach Craig Fulton said, 'Training has been going really well, and the squad is in great shape. The FIH Pro League matches in Holland and England in June are exactly what we need -- tough tests against world-class opposition that will tell us exactly where we stand in our World Cup preparations. We are looking forward to the challenge.'

The Indian contingent will travel to Brussels, Belgium, for preparatory training and a friendly match from June 7 to 9, 2026. Following this short camp, the squad will be in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from June 10 for the Pro League matches against Germany and the Netherlands scheduled for June 14 to 21 2026. Thereafter, the Indian team will fly to London, England, where they will face Pakistan and England in the Pro League from June 23 to 28, as per a Hockey India press release.

The squad features a blend of seasoned veterans and young talent - strategically chosen to solidify the core team heading into the upcoming World Cup. India's captain and leader of the defence, Harmanpreet, will be backed by a robust defensive unit comprising Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh and young defender Amandeep Lakra. The midfield will be anchored by the experienced duo of Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad, besides Raj Kumar Pal. The forward line features explosive attackers, including Mandeep Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek and Selvam Karthi. Hockey India has also named five standby players. This list includes goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak, forwards Araijeet Singh Hundal and Maninder Singh, defender Poovanna Chandura Boby and midfielder Vishnu Kant Singh. Indian Men's Hockey Team (24-Member Squad): -Goalkeepers: Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar, Suraj Karkera-Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Amit Rohidas, Sumit, Sanjay, Yashdeep Siwach, Amandeep Lakra, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh-Midfielders: Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem-Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Selvam Karthi India's European Leg Match Schedule (All Times IST): Rotterdam, The Netherlands:* 14 June 2026: Netherlands vs India - 19:30 hrs* 17 June 2026: India vs Germany - 23:00 hrs* 18 June 2026: Germany vs India - 23:00 hrs* 21 June 2026: Netherlands vs India - 17:30 hrs London, England:* 23 June 2026: Pakistan vs India - 19:00 hrs* 25 June 2026: England vs India - 12:00 hrs (midnight)* 26 June 2026: India vs Pakistan - 22:30 hrs* 28 June 2026: England vs India - 20:30 hrs. (ANI)