Teams to watch at Men's Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026
India are the most successful team in the tournament’s history
The Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026 is set to commence on October 27 in Punjab, India. The competition will be played across two cities, Jalandhar and Mohali, with the summit clash of the Champions Trophy taking place on November 5.
All the group stage games will be played at the Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalander, while all the play-off matches will take place at the Mohali International Hockey Stadium. Pakistan withdrew from the tournament, citing security reasons, and Bangladesh has been announced as their replacement.
Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see how things unfold as the tournament progresses, especially given that the Asian Games concluded recently. On that note, let’s take a look at the top five title favourites in the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026.
Which are the teams to watch in Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026?
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5. China
Last edition’s runners-up, China, have not been in the best form as they enter the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026. However, they are likely to make a deep run in the competition if they can rally their spirits.
China finished sixth at the 2026 Asian Games, behind all their Asian Champions Trophy rivals except Bangladesh. They also had issues in scoring goals while Gao Jiesheng led their attacking front with six strikes
Also Read: India’s projected path to the final at Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026
4. Japan
With their participation in the Asian Champions Trophy 2026, Japan will become the nation with the most appearances in the tournament without a title. They finished as runners-up on two occasions (2013 and 2021) but have never tasted victory in the summit clash.
They also failed to secure a podium finish at the 2026 Asian Games, finishing fifth in the final standings. However, Koji Yamasaki and Kosei Kawabe gave brilliant performances for the Japanese side, scoring nine and eight goals, respectively.
3. South Korea
One of the only two teams in the Asian Champions Trophy to have won the title before, South Korea would aim to improve their performance in the continental competition.
South Korea narrowly missed a medal at the 2026 Asian Games as they finished fourth in the final standings after losing to Pakistan in the bronze medal game 5-3.
The 2021 champions could face issues with team play, with gaps in attack and defence that could cost them the title. However, if they manage to make necessary changes, they could likely make a deep run in the upcoming tournament.
2. Malaysia
Malaysia have never won the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy, but that does not mean they are out of the race in the upcoming edition either. They finished with silver at the 2026 Asian Games, and that has given them confidence ahead of another continental competition.
Abu Kamal Azrai and Faizal Saari play well as the side’s attacking engine, while they have also made significant improvements in defence. Malaysia’s best finish in the competition came in 2023, when they finished second after losing 4-2 to India in the summit clash.
1. India
India are the top favourites to win the title at the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026, considering their current form and past run in the competition.
The Men in Blue defeated Malaysia in the final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games last month, successfully defending their continental title and securing a place in the 2028 LA Olympics.
In Japan, the Indian men’s hockey team scored 58 goals and conceded only eight. Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored the joint-most goals in the competition alongside Pakistan’s Sufyan Khan, 12.
However, on the attacking front, he was also getting support from Dilpreet and Abhishek, who also racked up nine goals each.
Where and when will Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026 take place?
The tournament will be held at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar and Olympian Balbir Singh (Senior) International Hockey Stadium in Mohali from October 27 to November 7.
How many teams are participating at the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026?
A total of six teams will compete for the title at the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026. The teams are —Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.
Who are the defending champions of Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy?
Hosts India are the two-time defending champions in the tournaments.
Which teams have won the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy previously?
India (5 times) and South Korea (1) are the only two nations, among teams participating, to win the title previously. Pakistan (3) is the only other team to win the trophy.
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