An India-Pakistan clash, across sports, evokes heightened passions. For the players, this marquee match is all about keeping emotions muted while focussing on the task at hand. This resolve will be tested at the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup when the arch rivals face other in a Pool ‘D’ game on August 19.
India has held the wood over Pakistan, after the twin victories in the FIH Pro League last month.
India skipper Harmanpreet Singh stated that the fixture will be “intense”, but called on his men to keep it strictly business.
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“When we play against Pakistan, it will be intense. There will be a lot of drama. We are excited to be in the same pool, and to play on such a big platform. But everyone knows their responsibilities and priorities. We have to focus on the match and play. You have to be mentally calm, and focus on your task,” Harmanpreet told Sportstar on the last day of the team camp at SAI here on Thursday,
In a move that drew criticism, the iconic blue national team jersey will be replaced by a new saffron jersey. “We just played a training match with the orange jersey. I think the new jersey looks good,” Harmanpreet said.
The 30-year-old is confident that India can break the World Cup jinx and win a medal at the tournament for the first time since 1975.
“At Tokyo 2020, we won an Olympic medal after 41 years. This time, our target is to win the World Cup,” he said.
Published on Jul 30, 2026
