Mohith HS Ready for India’s FIH Hockey World Cup Chance

India goalkeeper Mohith HS is preparing to make his maiden FIH Hockey World Cup appearance when the 2026 tournament is held in Belgium and the Netherlands from 15 to 30 August. The 24-year-old from Karnataka has been selected alongside experienced goalkeeper Suraj Karkera, marking a major step in a journey that began unexpectedly at school.

For Mohith, the World Cup is the biggest opportunity of his senior international career so far. He has said his priority is to give everything for India when he takes the field and to contribute to the team’s pursuit of the title. India’s men have won the FIH Hockey World Cup once, lifting the trophy in 1975 after beating Pakistan in the final.

From an unexpected school role to India’s World Cup squad

Mohith’s introduction to goalkeeping came by chance. He was drafted into his school hockey team because there was no goalkeeper available, with his coach believing his height could be useful between the posts. That unexpected decision developed into a career that has taken him through India’s junior setup and into the senior national group.

Before receiving his senior call-up, Mohith represented India at the Junior World Cup. That tournament remains an important source of motivation for the goalkeeper after India finished fourth and missed out on the podium.

“I always had a mindset to represent India in major tournaments because when I played in the Junior World Cup, we were not able to finish on the podium; we ended up fourth,” Mohith said. “So, from that time, it was my dream to do something big for India.”

His selection for the 2026 World Cup follows a period in which he has impressed the selectors, particularly during the final leg of the FIH Pro League season. Although Karkera brings greater international experience to the goalkeeping group, Mohith’s recent displays have reinforced confidence in his ability ahead of hockey’s major global event.

Mohith has also pointed to the influence of former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh on the next generation of custodians. While recognising what Sreejesh achieved for the national team, he said the current group is focused on its own responsibility rather than the pressure of replacing a past great.

“We have learnt a lot from him,” Mohith said. “But it’s not that we are under pressure to fill those shoes because he has done so well for India. We will give 100% on the ground, and then we will see what happens.”

Pro League finish provides India with confidence

India head into the World Cup after an encouraging end to their recent FIH Pro League campaign. Victories over the Netherlands and Germany have given the squad added belief as preparations continue for the tournament in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Mohith said those results have helped the group build confidence before the World Cup. “After defeating the Netherlands and Germany in the FIH Pro League, we have gained a lot of confidence,” he said. “I think we are up to the mark before the World Cup.”

The World Cup selection gives Mohith a chance to translate that confidence into a role on the sport’s biggest stage. His objective is clear: deliver his best for India and help the team chase another world title.

“My personal benchmark is to give my 100% for my country when I step on the field,” Mohith said. “I haven’t got a bigger opportunity than this so far in my senior career. I will try to make India the world champions once again.”