FIH Hockey World Cup / @FIH_Hockey

FIH Hockey World Cups, both for men and women, that get underway in the Netherlands, Belgium, on Aug. 15, promise a rich fare as 16 teams each in either of the sections vie with each other for top honours.

Teams optimism is reflected from the comments made by their captains, coaches and other team officials. Quotes from the participating teams reveal not only their preparations but also the challenges they expect to experience and overcome in their endeavour for supremacy and glory in the sport.  

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Here are what the captains and coaches of the participating teams have to say on their chances in the 16-day event that may throw up new icons and champions:

India Head Coach, Craig Fulton, says  “This is a special year for us — 50 years since India’s World Cup triumph — and that history  gives real motivation to this campaign. Our preparation has centred on consistency, sharper decision-making under pressure and embedding our press-counter-outcome philosophy. The players’ commitment has been excellent — they are driving standards and pushing each other daily. We know how tough the competition will be, but we trust our process. Our approach is simple: one game at a time, all in, honour that legacy, and put ourselves in the best position to compete for the title.”

Argentina Head Coach, Lucas Rey, says  “We are very happy. We believe we had a strong preparation phase after the Pro League concluded, training every day back in Argentina. We always aim to develop the technical, tactical, physical, and emotional sides of the game. We integrate these aspects closely and work on the fine details that we believe will give us an edge over our opponents. And here is the final product. Now, it is time to bring that to the pitch.”

For Australia Head Coach, Mark Hager, “Every World Cup is unique, and earning selection in an Australian team is something every player works incredibly hard for. The group we’ve selected has shown throughout the year that they have the commitment, resilience and quality required to compete on the biggest stage.

“We’ve built strong depth across the squad, with experienced players who have performed at the highest level alongside exciting younger athletes who have embraced every opportunity in the green and gold. The FIH Pro League gave us valuable opportunities to test ourselves against the world’s best teams, and we’ve continued to grow as a group with every campaign. We’ve been building towards this tournament for a long time. A World Cup is about performing when it matters most. We know the challenge ahead, but we’re excited by what’s possible. This group is hungry, they’re connected, and they’re ready to represent Australia with pride.” He concludes.

Belgium Head Coach, Shane McLeod, says “As a group we have enjoyed the success of the Hockey Pro League but know that for the World Cup we must focus on a new challenge. Having this challenge in our home country is a motivating factor. We will ensure that we display all of the qualities that the supporters expect from this Red Lions group.”

 “We have a pretty experienced squad which has a good mix of experience and some athletes that are making their World Cup debuts. We have five athletes going to their third World Cup, and five who will be going to their first. I think it’s a nice mix of experience in the squad. We’ve had a lot of consistency in the Pro League this year so we are hoping we can bring that to the World Cup too,” says England Head Coach, Zak Jones.

Spain Head Coach, Max Caldas, says “This team has grown in terms of players, people, and leaders. I want to see this team compete because it's going to make an entire country proud” 

France Head Coach, John-John Dohmen, stated “As the coach of the French national team, I am proud to represent this team at the World Cup.

We improve with each tournament, and our objective will be the same for this one. As Nations Cup winners, we hope to live up to the world's biggest hockey tournament. We have an amazing group of players and staff which is giving us a lot of energy a trust during games. We have a very strong group with the Germans, the reigning world and European champions, Malaysia, an unpredictable and talented team, and of course Belgium, the world number one. The match against Belgium will be very special for me, but also for all my players, almost all of whom play in what is one of the best leagues in the world. The Belgium-France match will be one of the best of this World Cup.”

Germany Head Coach, André Henning, says, “My greatest respect goes to all the players who have dedicated themselves to the team in such an impressive manner over the past few months. We only have 20 spots, but significantly more outstanding candidates and personalities. Everyone has given their all for each other. We have now assembled a World Championship team that possesses a great deal of quality and just as much potential. With an average age of just over 25, we will be one of the youngest teams in the tournament. I am incredibly excited for the five players who will be playing their first major tournament for Germany. At the same time, we have 14 players who have already won titles for us. The combination of hunger and knowledge of how success works will carry this team.”

What Ireland Head Coach, Mark Tumilty, has to say, is “This is a special moment for everyone involved in Irish hockey, especially this group of players.

The chance to play at only our fourth FIH Hockey World Cup, against the best teams in the world and on the biggest stage in our sport, is something we’re all looking forward to. We know what lies ahead will be a tough challenge, and we have great respect for every team in the competition. Although we haven’t played any international matches since the Nations Cup, the players are ready for the opportunity. We’re clear about how we want to play, excited to test ourselves against the world’s best, and proud to represent Ireland at the World Cup.”

Japan Captain, Reiki Fujishima, says “It is a great honour to represent Japan and compete on the biggest stage in world hockey. We will fight for every victory through hard work, resilience, and teamwork. We want to showcase Japan’s  speed and strong team spirit, and prove that Japanese hockey can compete with the very best in the world. We truly appreciate your support from Japan and around the world.”

Malaysia Head Coach, Brendon Carolan, says “I would not call this a group of death — I would call it a group of opportunity. It all depends on how we choose to view the situation because our primary target is the Asian Games. If we want to qualify for the Olympic Games, we must be capable of beating the world’s top eight teams. That is the reality. So, we are taking this draw positively, especially with the Asian Games taking place in September.”

Lars Balk, a Netherlands Player, comments on eve of the tournament “What I’m looking forward to most is the Dutch fans. That’s the best part for me. The stands are always packed here. It doesn’t matter whether it’s India vs Germany or India vs the Netherlands, the stadium is always full. There are so many hockey fans here, and they always support us. That’s what I’m really excited about: playing in front of a sold-out stadium filled with Dutch supporters dressed in orange.”

New Zealand Captain, Sam Lane, says “In terms of the games you want to play in, opening against the Dutch at home in our first World Cup match gets the adrenaline going just thinking about it. They’re a passionate crowd and love to be entertained. I remember watching the 2014 World Cup match against the Dutch and hoping one day I’d get to experience that.”

Pakistan Captain, Abu Bakar Mehmood, says “The journey to the World Cup has demanded sacrifice, discipline, and resilience. Now it’s time to embrace the challenge and show the world the spirit of Pakistan hockey. We’ll leave everything on the field and play with passion, courage, and heart. Keep us in your prayers—we’re ready for this challenge." 

Wales Head Coach, Danny Newcombe, says “To qualify for a second consecutive World Cup is a testament to the commitment and quality of this very special group. We’re proud to be here, and our focus is simple: to compete with the best teams in the world. That’s the challenge we’ve earned, and one we’re ready to embrace.”

India Camp in host city of Amsterdam / Maninder K Chandhoke

For the women’s event “Preparing for the World Cup is not just about sweating it out on the field; it is a continuous process of improving ourselves every day. With discipline, hard work and unity, the Indian team is fully prepared to make the nation proud at the World Cup,” says Indian captain, Salima Tete. Argentina Captain, Majo Granatto, says   “I think the team is in a great place. Not just on the pitch—which comes from the amount of hours, effort, and dedication the team has put into training—but off the pitch as well, which is essential. Today, we are truly a team. Being able to say that gives me pride and the reassurance that things will go great for us over there. I believe our preparation was spectacular; we did everything in our power to be the best version of ourselves at this World Cup. I’m heading there with that confidence, and I know the team is going to deliver.”

For Australia Head Coach, Rhett Halkett,  “Selection for a World Cup is never easy because it represents the pinnacle of our sport. Every player who has represented the Hockeyroos this year has contributed to where we are today. I am very proud of how the squad have handled everything thrown at them this year. This team has a well-balanced mix of experience and mature emerging talent. Throughout the year we’ve continued to challenge ourselves against the world’s best teams, and we’ve seen positive strides in both our performances and our belief. One of the biggest strengths of this group is how open they have been to change. It has not always been easy for them, but they have remained connected as a team throughout every challenge. They’ve bought into what we’re trying to achieve, they compete hard for each other,and they’re incredibly driven to keep improving. We know there are no easy games at a World Cup, but that’s what excites us. It’s an opportunity to showcase ourselves and the brand of hockey we want the Hockeyroos to be  known for.”

Belgium Head Coach, Adam Commens, says “We are particularly enthusiastic about this group of players. We have quality in all positions, plenty of speed, and a team bursting with ambition to succeed. We are all really looking forward to playing in front of our home crowd in three weeks.”

Chile Captain, Manuela Urroz, comments  “The energy in the squad is unreal and we’re so excited for our debut. Representing our country on the world stage is an honour, and every match is a chance to show what Chilean hockey is made of. Vamos Chile!”

China Captain, Li Hong, says “We’re hoping the team can achieve a result at this World Cup that we’ll be satisfied with. And beyond our own performance, we’re looking forward to seeing all the teams here play at their best — a World Cup is at its finest when every side brings something special to it. The Olympic silver medal is already behind us; it belongs to the past. What drives us now is the ambition to create more results like that one — more achievements that stand alongside an Olympic silver. It isn’t pressure, and it isn’t entirely confidence either. It’s an enormous source of motivation.”

England Head Coach, David Ralph, says “We have a good mix of experienced players with World Cups and Olympic Games on their resumes and players who are making their debut appearances at an event of this scale. That wealth of experience and the energy and freshness from younger players are exciting; looking forward to the World Cup.”

Spain Head Coach Carlos Garcia Cuenca says, “It is a very challenging World Cup, and the competition format makes it one of the fairest tournaments from a sporting perspective. Our realistic objective is to finish among the top six teams in the world. Once we achieve that, why should we not aim for the medals? We wanted to do something different, something that would make it very difficult for our opponents to compete against us. We arrive at the World Cup with a defensive game model that I believe has now reached its highest level of execution.”

Germany Head Coach Janneke Schopman says, “The nomination for the World Championship was an extremely close decision, as all the players have shown very good development and performance in the Pro League. Our World Championship squad is young and full of energy, and the recent successes in the Pro League reinforce our conviction that we can compete with any opponent worldwide. This tournament will take us another step further in our development!”

Ireland Head Coach Gareth Grundie says, “There is no denying that the World Cup is a competition that has a special significance for the team. For this group, this year’s FIH Hockey World Cup is an opportunity to leave a legacy of their own. The last few months, between the Qualifiers and the FIH Hockey Pro League, have given us lots of opportunities to test ourselves against some of the best teams in the world. We have learned first-hand, and also shown the world, that we can go toe-to-toe with these teams, something we intend to continue doing in this World Cup.”

Japan Head Coach Akira Takahashi says, “At the World Cup, SAKURA JAPAN will show the world our unity, resilience, and fighting spirit by never giving up until the very end. Inspired by the support of our fans and carrying the pride of Japan, we will give everything we have in every match and compete together as one team.”

Netherlands Head Coach Raoul Ehren feels, “A World Cup on home soil is, of course, an incredible experience. It doesn’t happen very often, and it will probably be quite some time before it happens again. There’s nothing better than playing in a packed stadium filled with fans dressed in orange. You can feel it in every way: the Excitement is building, and the tournament is really coming to life. That will only continue to grow in the weeks ahead.”

New Zealand Head Coach Phil Burrows says, “Opening against the host nation in Belgium is a great occasion and a real test straight away. Ireland and Spain are both strong sides, so it’s a quality pool. Being up against all European and Pro League teams presents a consistent, high-level challenge, which is exactly what you want at a World Cup.”

Scotland Captain Sarah Robertson says, “This is the highest level anyone in a Scottish hockey shirt can play at, so we know the challenge ahead and the opportunity it brings. We have put in so much hard work to qualify and then again to raise our game for the World Cup. We have a great culture in this team, and we are going to enjoy every minute together creating history.”

USA Captain Meredith Sholder says, “We have put in the work, and now, it is about trusting that preparation and executing in critical moments. We know the level of competition we will face will be fierce, but we believe in this group, and we are excited for the opportunity to represent the United States on the world stage.”

 

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