India sit eighth in the standings with 4 points from 8 matches, ahead of only Pakistan. The European leg takes them to Rotterdam to face Netherlands and Germany, before moving to London for matches against Pakistan and England.

The World Cup is the priority. Asian Games gold offers direct Olympic qualification for 2028. Both tournaments demand a squad that is fit, settled, and scoring goals. There is also an open question of peaking at the right moment, something India have struggled with before. Right now, India are 0 for 8 with the lowest goal tally in the league.

With the World Cup and Asian Games in mind, here are five things worth watching as India begin this leg.

1. Results Now or a Plan for August?

India have not won a single match this Pro League season. Eighth place, ahead of only Pakistan, with Netherlands, Germany, Pakistan, and England waiting in Rotterdam and London.

Go all out, chase a result, end the winless run, give the squad something to build confidence on heading into the World Cup. That is one option.

But there is history here that complicates it. At the 2023 World Cup, India beat Spain on day one, then faded over the following nine days, eventually losing on penalties to New Zealand in the crossover after leading 3-1 with nine minutes left. India peaked too early. By the time it mattered most, the sharpness was gone.

The European leg sits two months before the World Cup. If India go all out here purely to get a result, they risk being in a similar position come August, sharp now, faded later.

The honest tension is this. Does India use Rotterdam and London to build combinations, fitness, and tactics with August in mind? Or does a winless season demand a result now, even if it means peaking at the wrong time again?

Read More: Peaking at the Right Moment: The One Thing That Will Define India at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup

2. Where Are the Goals?

India have scored 9 goals in 8 matches this season, the lowest in the Pro League.

The forward line is the most obvious concern. Abhishek has played 7 matches and scored 0 goals. Sukhjeet Singh has played 3 and scored 0. Between them, India’s first-choice forwards have not found the net once this season.

Part of this could be a service problem. Watching India this season, the midfield has not consistently created chances for the forward line. If the ball is not getting to Abhishek and Sukhjeet in positions to score, the goal drought is not just a finishing issue, it becomes a question about how India build attacks through midfield.

Penalty corners tell a similar story. India have scored 4 PC goals from 21 attempts, a conversion rate of 19 percent. On its own, that is a respectable number. But when your forwards are not scoring from open play, the penalty corner unit needs to do more than be respectable. It needs to be the difference.

Read More: FIH Pro League: India’s Squad and Schedule for European Leg

3. If Not Harmanpreet, Then Who?

Penalty corner specialists hunt in pairs. Most top hockey nations have at least two recognised drag-flickers who can both occupy the top of the circle, giving the opposition two threats to defend rather than one.

India still relies overwhelmingly on Harmanpreet Singh. If he is off form, injured, or simply has a quiet day, the question becomes immediate: who else can step up?

Jugraj Singh has been the traditional second option but his numbers this season, 1 from 6, do not inspire confidence. Amandeep Lakra is an interesting case. He scored 9 goals in the Hockey India League for his franchise and 2 at the Junior World Cup, showing he has the ability. But he has played only 3 matches for India and is yet to convert at senior international level. Amit Rohidas can still contribute but mostly takes hits now rather than drag-flicks, a different kind of penalty corner threat altogether.

Rotterdam and London are an opportunity to find out if India has a genuine second option, or if Harmanpreet remains a one-man penalty corner unit heading into the World Cup.

4. Harmanpreet’s Form and Leadership in FIH Pro League

During India’s home leg of FIH Pro League in Rourkela, Harmanpreet Singh’s positioning was a concern. He was rarely visible in the frame during defensive sequences, raising questions about his role as the last line of defence. There was also a visible drop in how quickly he covered ground, a problem for a player whose entire role depends on being the last man back, covering spaces before attackers get there.

Harmanpreet then took personal time away from the squad and missed all four matches of the Hobart leg in Australia.

He returns as captain for the European leg. The question is which version of Harmanpreet shows up. The one whose positioning and pace were under scrutiny in Rourkela, or a sharper, more engaged defender and leader.

As captain, his presence on the pitch sets the tone for the rest of the side. Rotterdam and London will tell us a lot about where he stands.

5. The World Cup Audition

This is the last Pro League leg before the World Cup squad is announced. 22 players are in this squad. 18 will go to the World Cup. Four will not. The question is which 4 players will miss the World Cup bus. Here is how things look right now.

Several positions are settled. Harmanpreet, Amit Rohidas, Sumit, Sanjay, and Jarmanpreet look set in defence. Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad are sure shots in midfield. Mandeep Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, and Abhishek look set in attack.

But several spots remain open. In defence, Yashdeep Siwach, Amandeep Lakra, and Jugraj Singh are all competing, with Jugraj under the most scrutiny given his recent form. The midfield, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, and Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem are fighting for the remaining spots, alongside Rajinder Singh, the least experienced of the group but talked about as a long-term successor to Sardar Singh’s role. In attack, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, and Selvam Karthi are all in contention for the remaining forward spots.

Goalkeeping has its own storyline. Suraj Karkera looks set to be India’s number one. The second spot is between Mohith and Krishan Bahadur Pathak. Pathak was expected to inherit the gloves after Sreejesh’s retirement in 2024. Instead, he finds himself on standby with others ahead of him in the pecking order.

Rotterdam and London are the last major opportunity for these players to make their case before the World Cup squad is finalised.

Read More: 411 Caps and Still Going: The Manpreet Singh Story

What FIH Pro League Need to Show

India head to Europe without a win and with more questions than answers. The World Cup is only two months away. Whether it is goals, penalty corners, Harmanpreet’s form, or the battle for World Cup places, Rotterdam and London should tell us whether India have learned from an ordinary Pro League campaign so far. They may not be looking to peak in June, but they will want signs that the pieces are beginning to come together before August.

2026 is a big year for Indian hockey. Nations Cup. World Cup. Asian Games. We will be covering every important moment of this journey. Subscribe to the Give Me Hockey newsletter and stay with us through all of it

<p>The post FIH Pro League 2025-26: 5 Things to Watch as India Heads to Europe first appeared on Give Me Hockey.</p>

With the debate still open on whether India send one squad or two across the World Cup and Asian Games, these eight matches carry extra importance. They are Fulton’s last real opportunity to test his bench strength, assess the depth of his squad, and make the calls that will define how India approach both tournaments.

Read More: India’s Big Call: Chase World Cup Glory or Secure Olympic Qualification?

India’s FIH Pro League Form

India’s form in 2025-26 Pro League is a cause for concern. In the 2025-26 season, India have played eight matches and won none. Three draws, one shootout bonus point, five losses. They sit eighth in the standings with four points, ahead of only bottom-placed Pakistan who have zero points from eight matches.

The winless run goes further back than this season. India’s last regulation Pro League win came on June 22, 2025, a 4-3 victory over Belgium in Antwerp on the final day of the 2024-25 season. That win ended what was then their longest ever Pro League losing streak of seven successive defeats. The current season has added eight more matches without a win, though three draws and a shootout point show the gap is narrowing in some matches.

The opponents in this final leg are not straightforward. The Netherlands currently sit fourth in the standings. England are fifth. Germany sixth. Pakistan last. Every match is a genuine test.

What Is at Stake

For the Pro League title, India are out of contention. Belgium lead the standings with 22 points from eight matches, well clear of Australia in second. India’s focus is not the title.

Two things matter in these eight matches. First, avoiding relegation. The bottom team at the end of the season drops out of the Pro League and is replaced by the Nations Cup winner. India currently sit eighth, two points clear of Pakistan who are last. With eight matches remaining, the gap is manageable but not comfortable.

Second, and more importantly, World Cup preparation. England and Pakistan are India’s Pool D opponents in Amstelveen in August. Playing both of them twice in June, under Pro League pressure, is as close to a World Cup rehearsal as Fulton will get. The Netherlands appear twice as well. India and the Dutch are in different pools at the World Cup, but could meet in the second round if both progress as expected. Every match in Rotterdam and London is a live scouting opportunity and a chance to test what actually works against the opposition that matters most.

The question remains: Is this winless streak a sign of a team in decline, or is it the calculated cost of a preparation curve designed to peak only on August 15? While the fans worry about the scoreboard in Rotterdam, the coaching staff may be playing a much longer game.

India’s Remaining FIH Pro League Schedule

All eight matches are against sides India will either face directly at the World Cup or could meet in the knockout rounds. All times in IST.

India Name 24-Member Squad for European Leg

Hockey India announced the squad on May 27, 2026. Harmanpreet Singh returns to lead the side after missing the Hobart leg of the Pro League in February for personal reasons.

Before the Pro League matches, India will travel to Brussels for a preparatory camp and a friendly match from June 7 to 9. The squad then moves to Rotterdam from June 10 ahead of the Netherlands and Germany matches.

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.”

Indian Men’s Hockey Team:

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

Standbys: Krishan Bahadur Pathak (Goalkeeper), Araijeet Singh Hundal (Forward), Maninder Singh (Forward), Poovanna Chandura Boby (Defender), Vishnu Kant Singh (Midfielder)

India have six weeks between their last Pro League match on June 28 and the World Cup opener on August 15. Whether these eight matches produce results or just answers, what Fulton learns in Rotterdam and London will shape how India walk into Amstelveen.

Where To Watch

The tournament will be streamed LIVE on Star Sports Network and Jio Hotstar in India.

Team Source: Hockey India

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<p>The post FIH Pro League Squad and Schedule: India’s World Cup Audition first appeared on Give Me Hockey.</p>

India will play one game against the Ireland Developmental Squad, followed by two matches against the Ireland Senior Team. The series is also a special one for head coach Craig Fulton. It marks a return to familiar ground—he coached the Irish national team from 2014 to 2018.

Read More: Is Hockey India League repeating its old mistakes

The tour begins on 30 May against the developmental side. India will then face Ireland’s senior team on 2 and 3 June (04th June India Time).

Full Schedule

After wrapping up in Ireland, the team will travel to the Netherlands. There, they will take on the Dutch and Argentina. The final leg of the tour will be in Belgium, where India will play against Australia and the hosts.

Read More: Hockey India’s New Coaching Mentorship Program Could Be a Gamechanger

India currently ranks third in the FIH Pro League standings. The team has five wins from eight matches so far.

Squad for FIH Pro League

Chief coach Craig Fulton announced 24 member squad for the FIH Pro League on Thursday.

Goalkeepers
Krishan B Pathak and Suraj Karkera

Defenders
Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Yashdeep Siwach and Sumit

Midfielders
Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Sumit, Rajinder Singh, Vishnu Kant Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Shamsher Singh

Forwards
Gurjant Singh, Abhishek, Shilanand Lakra, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Dilpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh

Why This Tour Matters

With the FIH Pro League heading into its European phase, this preparatory tour is crucial. It gives the coaching staff a chance to test new combinations and fine-tune strategies before high-stakes matches.

Stay tuned for updates on match results, squad announcements, and Pro League insights.

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Note: This post was updated on 22-May-25 to update the team for FIH Pro League

<p>The post Full Schedule: India’s Practice Tour of Ireland Before FIH Pro League first appeared on Give Me Hockey.</p>