India's Men’s Hockey Team Starts FIH Pro League 2025-26 with Matches in Rourkela

The Indian men's hockey team has begun its participation in the 2025-26 FIH Men's Pro League. The league started on December 9, 2025, and will continue until June 28, 2026. This league involves teams from different countries competing in several matches. It is an important event for hockey teams to test their skills and improve their rankings. India is playing matches both at home and abroad during this league. The home matches in India are scheduled to take place in Rourkela, Odisha. These matches are set for February 10 to 15, 2026, at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium. This is a significant opportunity for Indian fans to watch their team play live. The Indian team has announced a squad for the matches in Rourkela. The players include goalkeepers Suraj Karkera and Pawan. The defenders are Amit Rohidas, Captain Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sumit, Sanjay, and Nilam Sanjeep Xess. These players are responsible for defending the goal area and preventing the opposition from scoring. The schedule for the Rourkela matches is as follows. On February 10, 2026, Belgium will face Argentina at 7:30 pm Indian Standard Time. On February 11, India will play against Belgium at the same time. The following day, India will compete with Argentina. Matches will continue every day, with India playing against Belgium and Argentina until February 15, 2026. As of now, there has been no official confirmation about the venues for India’s away matches against Belgium and Argentina. The matches in other countries, such as Australia, the Netherlands, and England, are scheduled between February and June 2026. India will play against teams like Spain, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, Pakistan, and England in these away fixtures. The matches scheduled abroad are important for gaining international experience and improving team rankings. These fixtures will take place at various venues, but specific locations for India’s away games have not yet been confirmed. The matches in Australia are planned for February 21 to 25, the games in the Netherlands for June 13 to 21, and those in England from June 23 to 28. There has also been no official confirmation regarding the participation of some teams, including Pakistan, New Zealand, and Ireland, in this league. Their involvement could influence the overall competition, but details are still awaited. This league is an important part of the Indian team's schedule, especially as it prepares for future international competitions. Playing against strong teams helps players improve and gain confidence. The organizers aim to make these matches accessible for viewers, with free tickets available for the Rourkela leg. In summary, India is actively participating in the FIH Pro League, with matches scheduled in India and abroad. The February matches in Rourkela are the starting point for the home leg. The team’s performance in these matches can influence their overall standing in the league. Fans and followers of hockey are eagerly watching the progress of the Indian team during this period.