The six-team tournament will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5, with India, Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia and Bangladesh in contention.
SAS NAGAR (MOHALI), October 23: Japan’s men’s hockey team received a traditional Punjabi welcome upon arriving at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Mohali on Friday ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy 2026.
The 18-member Japanese contingent was greeted by the beats of Bhangra and traditional garlands, with officials from Punjab’s Sports Department extending a warm reception to the visiting players.
The players expressed their delight at the welcome and excitement about competing in Punjab, a region renowned for its contribution to Indian hockey.
The Japanese squad includes captain Fujishima Raiki, along with Yamada Shota, Tanaka Seren, Watanbe Jun, Matsumoto Kazumasa, Nagai Yuma, Yamashita Manabu, Nagayoshi Ken, Saito Hiro, Kashiwagi Ren, Tanaka Tsubasa, Ooka Ryoma, Kawamura Yusuke, Kuroda Kisho, Yamanaka Motoya, Ochiai Haruki, Kitagawa Takumi and Fukuda Kentaro.
Kuroda Kisho and Kitagawa Takumi are the two goalkeepers named in the squad.
Punjab’s Sports Department has made arrangements for the team’s accommodation, training sessions and transportation during the tournament.
The Asian Champions Trophy will be hosted in Punjab for the first time, with the state government promising facilities, security and hospitality for the participating teams. According to the Punjab Government, the tournament is being hosted following sustained efforts by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Six teams — hosts India, Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia and Bangladesh — will compete in the continental competition.
The tournament will begin on October 27 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, while the final is scheduled for November 5 at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Hockey Stadium in Mohali.
With leading Asian teams set to compete, the championship will bring international hockey action to two of Punjab’s prominent sporting venues.
