India's Consistency Makes Them Strong Contenders for 2026 Men's Hockey World Cup, Says Belgium Defender

Arthur Van Doren, a Belgian hockey defender, sees India as a formidable contender for the men's hockey World Cup next year. He believes India's consistent performance over recent years makes it impossible

to overlook them.

Their achievements, including back-to-back Olympic medals, have solidified their place among the top teams globally.

"It's impossible not to consider them as big contenders," Van Doren stated in an interview. "They've shown results for a long time now, with two Olympic cycles where they ended up medallists. Ignoring India when talking about the World Cup would not be fair anymore. "

India's Hockey Resurgence

Van Doren highlighted the well-rounded nature of the Indian team, noting their quality across all lines. He praised their experienced coach and the blend of seasoned players with talented youth. This balance allows India to compete consistently at the highest level. "They've got quality in pretty much every line," he remarked.

The Belgian player acknowledged that India's rise in hockey is due to long-term planning and exposure. "What you see now is not a coincidence. They've been building for years, and the results are showing," he explained. This sustained effort has led to their current success on the international stage.

Challenges in International Hockey

Despite India's strengths, Van Doren noted that the competition for the World Cup title will be fierce. "The only problem teams like India, Belgium face is that there are five or six or seven more teams that are just as confident as we are," he said. The tight competition at the top makes international hockey thrilling.

Van Doren also commended Indian players' technical skills, especially among younger athletes. He observed that Indian players are deeply engaged with hockey, eager to learn and improve. "One of the impressive things about Indians is that they are busier with hockey than any country in the world," he noted.

Upcoming World Cup and HIL Season

The upcoming World Cup, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium from August 14 to 30 next year, promises to be unpredictable with many confident teams participating. "You can be very confident about your own progress, but so can many other teams.That's what makes it exciting," Van Doren commented.

Van Doren is also set to return for his second season with the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in the Hockey India League (HIL). The 31-year-old aims to improve upon last year's mixed campaign despite being part of the highest-scoring team in the league.

"I'm very excited to rejoin the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers for the second season of the HIL.I'm very much looking forward to try to make a better second season than the first," he expressed. Defensive issues were a concern last season, which Van Doren hopes to address this time around.

"We scored the most goals in the competition, but we struggled in some key areas and conceded a little bit too many corners," he admitted. By resolving these defensive lapses, Van Doren believes they can significantly improve their performance.

With inputs from PTI