India Sends 503 Athletes to 2026 Asian Games

India is set to send a 503-member contingent to the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. Sporting events are slated to commence on September 10, with India's campaign officially opening with teqball on September 17. The nation aims to build on its previous performances, having seen a significant increase in its medal tally in recent editions. The Games also serve as a pathway for Olympic qualification in seven disciplines for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with India participating in six of these: Hockey, Squash, Surfing, Sailing, Tennis, and Archery. India enters the competition defending titles in men's and women's cricket and kabaddi, while the men's hockey team is the reigning champion. The cricket competitions, played in T20I format, will run from September 17 to October 3. The Indian women's cricket team will face Japan in the quarterfinals on September 18, and the men's team will enter directly at the quarterfinal stage, scheduled to play the runner-up of Group A on September 28. India and Pakistan cannot meet before the medal matches in cricket. Several prominent athletes are expected to represent India.