India to meet Japan in Men's Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026 final in Mohali on November 5

India will face Japan in the final of the Men's Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026 at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali on November 5, with the match scheduled to start at 7 pm IST. The hosts enter the title match as two-time defending champions seeking to retain the trophy.

India have won the Asian Champions Trophy five times across eight editions. Japan finished runners-up in 2013 and 2021. The two sides met in the tournament's league phase, where India defeated Japan 4-1. Craig Fulton’s side are being viewed as the outright favourites ahead of the final.

India arrive in the final unbeaten in this edition, recording six wins from six matches. The hosts reached the title match after an 8-1 semi-final victory over South Korea. That semi-final win secured India a place in their third successive final of the competition.

Japan have responded to their league loss by going unbeaten in their last three matches. They progressed to the final after a goalless semi-final against Malaysia which they won on penalties. That shootout victory set up the meeting with India in Mohali.

In the earlier league meeting between the teams, Abhishek scored a brace for India. Captain Harmanpreet and youngster Vishnu Kant Singh also scored in that 4-1 win. Those goal-scoring contributions were key to India’s comprehensive league result.

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The title match between India and Japan will be played at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali on November 5 (Thursday) and is scheduled to begin at 7 pm IST.