Craig Fulton Hints at India Hockey Squad Overhaul for LA 2028

India men’s hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton has indicated that the squad could undergo significant changes as the team begins its transition towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The coaching staff plans to select a new squad for the home leg of the FIH Pro League in February before finalising a fresh core group for the next Olympic cycle.

India are scheduled to face Germany, Argentina, Great Britain and Spain during the home leg. Fulton said the tournament would provide an opportunity to assess new players and begin building a team for the 2027-28 cycle.

India to Select New Squad for February Pro League

Fulton confirmed that India will name a fresh squad for the Pro League home leg, with limited preparation time available because players will return to their respective franchises.

“We will select a new squad for the Pro League in January (February). There is very little time to train because the players will go back to their respective franchises. We will name a new squad, which will play in the Pro League, and then start the 2027-28 cycle with that squad,” Fulton told PTI.

The new selection will form an important part of India’s preparations for the next Olympic cycle. The coaching staff will use the upcoming international assignments to evaluate players before deciding on the group that will take the team forward.

New Zealand Tour to Help Determine India’s Core Group

Before the Pro League, India will travel to New Zealand this month for a three-match international Test series. The matches will take place in Auckland on November 19, 21 and 22 as part of New Zealand’s centenary celebrations marking 100 years since India’s first hockey tour to the country in 1926.

Fulton said the squad for the New Zealand tour had not yet been finalised and would be announced in the coming days. The coaching staff plans to assess the team’s options after the series before selecting a new core group.

“That is what we are going to assess after New Zealand. After that tour, we will select a new core group and a new squad,” the South African coach said.

The New Zealand assignment will therefore serve as an opportunity to evaluate available players ahead of the broader restructuring planned for the 2027-28 cycle.

Fulton Highlights Changes in India’s Recent Squads

India have already made several changes to their squad in recent years. Fulton pointed out that the team which competed at the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai was different from the side that participated in the 2024 edition in Hulunbuir.

Nine players have been changed since the previous squad, highlighting the transition already taking place within the national team.

The coach’s latest comments suggest that the process could continue as India look to develop a group capable of competing at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Mixed Results Shape India’s Preparation for LA 2028

India’s recent performances have presented both challenges and positives. Harmanpreet Singh’s side endured a disappointing campaign at the World Cup, finishing eighth, but later retained their Asian Games title and secured direct qualification for the 2028 Olympics.

Fulton believes the team must improve its performances against stronger international opponents, particularly European sides. While India have been effective against Asian teams, the coach said greater consistency is needed against higher-ranked opposition.

Attack and Defence Need Improvement, Says Fulton

Fulton identified shortcomings in both attacking and defensive performances during important matches at the World Cup. He said India failed to convert scoring opportunities in crucial games and conceded goals that could have been avoided.

“We didn’t score goals when we needed to in the big games (at the World Cup), and we conceded some soft goals. So, both our defence and attack need to improve,” he said.

He added that India needed to raise their level against European teams and other higher-ranked opponents.

“Against Asian opposition, our ability to score goals and defend is good. But against European opposition and higher-ranked teams, we have to keep improving.”

The coach also stressed that the focus would not be on blaming individual players for mistakes. Instead, the team needs to improve its mindset and mentality in high-pressure matches.

“We are looking at both attack and defence. But it is not about identifying a particular player at this stage. It is about mindset and mentality in the big games. All players make mistakes, and all players make good plays.”

India Begin Building Towards the 2028 Olympics

With Olympic qualification secured, India can now focus on developing a squad for the Los Angeles Games. The New Zealand tour, followed by the February Pro League home leg, will provide opportunities to assess players and shape the next core group.

Fulton’s proposed changes reflect India’s effort to address weaknesses exposed against stronger opposition while maintaining the team’s performance in major international competitions. The selection decisions made over the coming months will help define the direction of India’s preparations for the 2027-28 cycle and the 2028 Olympics.