HII: Squads cut, 14 international players unlikely

Just when one thought that men’s franchise Team Gon-asika and defending women’s champions Odisha Warriors pulling out of the Hockey India League (HIL) was probably the last piece of news coming in before the mini-auction later this month, a couple of more surprises are in store as Hockey India (HI) prepares for the second edition of the revamped tournament that was launched late last year.

- Sandip Sikdar

Fourteen top foreign stars, who played in the HIL last season, will unlikely make an appearance this time around due to a busy 2026 calendar that includes the all-important World Cup and the fact that the league is being played in the off-season.

The 2026 World Cup will be held in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 14 to 30 for which teams start preparing months in advance. With most of the season spent in the FIH Pro League, coaches and team management of top European outfits will get less time to get their players ready.

The other reason is the fact that HIL camps start before Christmas while the tournament is held during the New Year - normally a holiday season for players from top hockey nations like Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Great Britain.