Japan Upsets Defending Champion India 1-0 in Asian Champions Trophy Final
Japan defeated India 1-0 to claim the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 title in Mohali, ending India's bid for a sixth consecutive championship.
Japan secured a 1-0 victory over defending champion India in the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 final at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Stadium in Mohali on Thursday. The win prevented India from extending its record to a sixth title. Craig Fulton’s Indian side entered the match unbeaten, having won all five league games and an 8-1 semifinal triumph over South Korea. Japan reached the final after a 5-3 shootout win over Malaysia following a goalless semifinal. The two teams had previously met in the league stage on October 30, when India won 4-1 in Jalandhar.
"We are proud of the team's performance and delighted to bring the trophy home," said a Japanese team spokesperson. India’s lineup featured captain Harmanpreet Singh and other regulars such as Jarmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh and Nilakanta Sharma.