India hockey coach Craig Fulton believes the revamped FIH World Cup format will place a premium on strong starts, turning every pool match into a must-win contest. With points from the preliminary stage carried forward into the next round, the South African coach feels there will be little margin for error when the tournament begins in Belgium and the Netherlands later this month.

Unlike previous editions, where teams could recover from an early setback and still progress comfortably, the new format rewards consistency from the opening whistle. For Fulton, that means India must be ready from day one.

“It changes things quite a lot,” Fulton said while assessing the challenge ahead. “Every game becomes important because the points you earn early stay with you. There’s no real opportunity to ease yourself into the tournament.”

India’s World Cup journey begins against Wales on August 15 — India’s Independence Day — a coincidence Fulton believes adds an extra layer of significance to the occasion. While the team will not allow emotions to distract from the task at hand, he acknowledged that representing the country on such an important national day would be special for the players.

“It’s a great occasion for us. Playing our first World Cup match on Independence Day gives the game a little more meaning. The players understand what the day represents and will be motivated to make it memorable,” he said.

Despite the increased pressure created by the format, Fulton sees India entering the tournament in a favourable position. Unlike some of their rivals, India are not arriving as reigning world champions, Olympic champions or continental title holders. That, he believes, allows the team to operate with a degree of freedom.

“We’re probably not carrying the expectations that some other teams are,” Fulton said. “That can sometimes help because the spotlight is elsewhere.”

Much of the pre-tournament attention has centred on hosts Belgium and the Netherlands, both considered among the strongest contenders for the title. Fulton is comfortable with India flying under the radar and feels his side can use that to their advantage.

Rather than getting caught up in predictions and rankings, the coach wants India to focus on building momentum through the competition. A positive start against Wales could set the tone for the rest of the campaign.

“Sometimes being the underdog is a good place to be,” Fulton said. “You can quietly go about your business, improve with every game and put yourself in a position to challenge when it matters most.”

For India, the message is clear: start fast, stay consistent and embrace the opportunity. In a World Cup where every point counts, Fulton believes his team can thrive away from the glare and emerge as genuine contenders when the tournament reaches its decisive stages.

BY JOE WILLIAMS