Goa, Aug. 15 -- India will begin their campaign at the 2026 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup on Saturday as they take on Wales in their opening Pool D match at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

The contest comes on August 15, India's 80th Independence Day, adding another layer of significance to the opening fixture. The Indian men's team will be hoping to mark the occasion with a strong performance as they look to end the country's long wait for a Hockey World Cup title.

India enter the tournament with renewed confidence after securing a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, the World Cup presents a different challenge, with consistency across the tournament likely to be crucial.

Wales will be India's first opponent...