K ARUMUGAM
When India walks onto the turf at the historic Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on August 15 for its opening match of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, Indian hockey will witness a unique milestone in the tournament’s 55-year history. For the first time ever, two village-mates — Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh — will play their fourth Hockey World Cup together, adding a remarkable chapter to India’s rich hockey legacy.
The duo, who hail from the same village of Mithapur near Jalandhar in Punjab, have travelled together through age-group hockey, the junior national team and the senior Indian side. Their journey, rooted in the hockey culture of rural Punjab, now reaches another historic landmark as they prepare to feature in their fourth successive World Cup.
Since the inaugural Hockey World Cup in 1971, India has produced numerous legends, but only five players have represented the country in four World Cups. Before Manpreet and Mandeep, only three Indian greats had achieved the feat — Ashok Kumar, Dhanraj Pillay, and P.R. Sreejesh.
What makes the 2026 achievement particularly special is that Manpreet and Mandeep will become the first pair of Indian players to appear in four World Cups together. The earlier trio belonged to different generations. Ashok Kumar represented India during the 1970s, Dhanraj Pillay carried the mantle through the 1990s and early 2000s, while goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh dominated the post-2010 era. None of them had another Indian teammate making a fourth World Cup appearance alongside them.
The milestone also underlines the remarkable longevity of Manpreet and Mandeep. Modern hockey demands extraordinary levels of fitness, speed and tactical awareness, making survival at the highest level for well over a decade a rare accomplishment. Their continued selection reflects not only consistency but also their ability to adapt to the evolving demands of international hockey.
India enters the tournament with hopes of ending a 51-year wait for a World Cup title, having last lifted the trophy in Kuala Lumpur in 1975. The experienced pair is expected to provide valuable leadership to a squad blending seasoned campaigners with emerging talent.
The Five Indians with Four World Cup Appearances
Ashok Kumar (1971, 1973, 1975, 1978)
Son of the legendary Major Dhyan Chand, Ashok Kumar established his own identity as one of India’s finest inside-forwards. A stylish playmaker blessed with exceptional ball control and vision, he played in four consecutive World Cups during hockey’s golden era. His defining moment came in the 1975 World Cup final against Pakistan in Kuala Lumpur, where his controversial but historic goal secured India’s only World Cup title. The victory remains the pinnacle of Indian hockey’s World Cup history.
Dhanraj Pillay (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002)
Widely regarded as one of India’s greatest modern forwards, Dhanraj Pillay brought flair, speed and unmatched dribbling skills to international hockey. He played four successive World Cups and captained India during the later stages of his career. Although a World Cup medal eluded him, Pillay’s dazzling performances earned admiration across the hockey world. He represented India in over 300 internationals and became
P.R. Sreejesh (2010, 2014, 2018, 2023)
One of the greatest goalkeepers the game has produced, P.R. Sreejesh guarded the Indian goal for nearly two decades. His four World Cup appearances reflected his extraordinary consistency and longevity. Sreejesh was instrumental in India’s bronze medal-winning campaigns at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics and won numerous accolades, including the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award. Calm under pressure and an inspirational leader, he retired as one of Indian hockey’s all-time legends.
Manpreet Singh (2014, 2018, 2023, 2026)
India’s most-capped player, midfielder Manpreet Singh has been the heartbeat of the national side for over 15 years. Renowned for his relentless work rate, tactical intelligence and leadership, he captained India to the historic Olympic bronze medal at Tokyo 2020, ending the country’s 41-year Olympic medal drought. He also became the first Indian to win the FIH Player of the Year award in 2019. His fourth World Cup appearance is another landmark in an already glittering career. (Wikipedia)
Mandeep Singh (2014, 2018, 2023, 2026)
One of India’s most dependable forwards of the past decade, Mandeep Singh made an immediate impact after his international debut with his pace, intelligent positioning and sharp finishing. His ability to score crucial goals and create opportunities has made him an indispensable member of the Indian attack. Like Manpreet, he has remained a consistent performer across multiple Olympic cycles and World Cups. His fourth World Cup appearance alongside his village-mate symbolizes a remarkable journey built on perseverance, friendship and shared dreams.
As India begins another quest for the elusive World Cup crown, the spotlight will naturally fall on the team’s campaign. Yet, irrespective of the tournament’s outcome, August 15 will already have secured a special place in Indian hockey history. Two boys from the same village, who grew up chasing the same dream on the dusty fields of Punjab, will walk onto the World Cup stage together for the fourth time — a record that no Indian pair has ever achieved before. It is a celebration not only of their enduring excellence but also of the enduring tradition of Indian hockey.
Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh
The details
Five players have a rare feat: Four World Cup appearances.
Ashok Kumar (1971 – 1978),
Dhanraj Pillay (1990 – 2002).
PR Sreejesh (2010 – 2022),
Manpreet Singh (2014 – 2026)
Mandeep Singh (2014-2026)