India to open Asian Games 2026 men's kabaddi campaign against hosts Japan in Tokai on 21st September

India will meet hosts Japan in their opening match of the men’s kabaddi tournament at the 20th Asian Games, to be played at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium in Tokai, Aichi Prefecture, on 21st September, 2026. The fixture is India’s first of the tournament, which runs from 21st to 26th September 2026 at the same venue.

The Indian side, described in the source as having amassed eight consecutive gold medals and having dominated every edition save 2018, have been seeded into Group A alongside four powerhouses of Asian kabaddi. Veteran coach Balwan Singh and his deputy BC Ramesh will oversee the squad, with Sunil Kumar named among the leading players in the group. Each group-stage match is expected to carry weight for India’s progression in the competition.

India’s group-stage schedule following the opener is compact: they face the Republic of Korea on 22nd September, Bangladesh on 23rd September and Chinese Taipei on 24th September. All group fixtures are scheduled at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium, where the hosts will also contest their opening game on 21st September. The source emphasises that each game in the group stage will be crucial for India.

Japan arrive at the Asian Games on the back of victory in the East Asian Men’s Kabaddi Championship in 2025, where they beat Chinese Taipei 46-26 in the final. In that 2025 championship Japan recorded wins over both Chinese Taipei and the Republic of Korea, results the source notes as having boosted their confidence ahead of the Aichi tournament.

The source also reports that Japan’s developmental tours and intense training sessions have strengthened both their defensive cohesion and raiding techniques. It adds that, with a historic championship win last year and intense preparation for the 20th edition of the Asian Games, the hosts have evolved into a strong contender for the bronze medal in Aichi.

While acknowledging Japan’s home advantage, the source states that "Even though they can emerge as the favourites on their home mat, it is safe to say that Japan may not be able to pose as a notable counterpart to the Indian team in their race to clinch the gold medal at the Asian Games 2026." India’s campaign therefore opens against Japan on 21st September at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium, followed by matches against the Republic of Korea (22nd), Bangladesh (23rd) and Chinese Taipei (24th).