Bhubaneswar, 14 August 2026: Eight players from Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, the reigning Hockey India League champions, have been selected to represent their national squads – India, Belgium and Australia at the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026, to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15-30.
The Lancers won their second HIL title in January, beating Ranchi Royals 3-2 in the final at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, on the back of the league’s best defensive record and highest penalty corner conversion rate of the season.
India’s squad includes defender Sanjay, an Olympic bronze medallist from Paris 2024, and forward Dilpreet Singh, who won bronze at Tokyo 2020. Belgium, co-hosting the tournament, has named Lancers’ captain Arthur van Doren and drag-flicker Alexander Hendrickx, both Olympic gold medallists from Tokyo 2020 and silver medallists from Rio 2016; Hendrickx also led the Lancers’ scoring charts this HIL season with 12 goals. Australia’s squad features goalkeeper Jed Snowden, midfielder Liam Henderson, forward Craig Marais and reserve player Cooper Burns.
Belgium will compete in Pool B in Wavre, Australia in Pool C in Amstelveen, and India in Pool D. A meeting between the three sides, and their Lancers teammates, would be possible in the crossover or knockout stages.
Rajesh Kumar, CEO – Vedanta Aluminium Metal ltd said, “To see eight of our players selected for the pinnacle event in world hockey is a moment of immense pride for the entire Vedanta Kalinga Lancers family. It reflects our commitment to assembling a squad that embodies excellence, discipline, and world-class skill. Watching our players represent their respective nations, and potentially square off against one another, will be an incredible treat for hockey fans across the globe and in Odisha.”
The 2026 FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup will be held across two venues, Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre and Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, the first time the tournament has been co-hosted. Sixteen nations divided into four pools will compete for the title.
About Kalinga Lancers:
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers is a premier hockey franchise in the Hockey India League, proudly representing the state of Odisha. Owned by Vedanta Limited, the team embodies the company’s commitment to promoting sports and nurturing young talent. As Vedanta’s first venture into sports team ownership, Kalinga Lancers represents a significant milestone in its journey to contribute meaningfully to India’s sports ecosystem. Vedanta’s passion for sports is evident through its investments across sporting disciplines such as football, cricket, marathons, pickleball, and archery, contributing towards fostering a culture of excellence and opportunity in sports.
Eight Vedanta Kalinga Lancers Players Named in National Squads for FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026
