The South Korea men's hockey team landed at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Mohali and walked into a full Punjabi welcome. Local artists greeted the players and support staff with dhol beats and Bhangra performances, while colourful Phulkari dupattas were presented to the visiting contingent. The welcome gave the team a direct taste of Punjab's culture and hospitality.
The arrival of the South Korean side means all six participating teams are now in place for the Asian Champions Trophy 2026.
Asian Champions Trophy 2026: South Korea Squad and Tournament Details
South Korea has travelled with a 20-member squad. The goalkeepers in the group are Kim Jaehyeon and Sohn Taemin. The rest of the side makes up the full contingent of players and support staff who were greeted at the airport.
The tournament will be held from October 27 to November 5. Matches will be played at two venues — the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar and the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali.
- South Korea squad strength: 20 members, including goalkeepers Kim Jaehyeon and Sohn Taemin
- Tournament window: October 27 to November 5
- Venue one: Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar
- Venue two: Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium, Mohali
- Teams confirmed on the ground: all six participating nations
Why the Punjabi Welcome at Mohali Airport Matters
The greeting was not a small formality. Dhol, Bhangra and Phulkari are recognisable symbols of Punjab, and putting them in front of a visiting national team sends a clear message about how the host region treats its guests. For the players, it is a first impression of the place they will compete in.
It also sets a tone for the event itself. Hockey has a long history in this part of India, and the two stadiums named for Olympians Surjit Singh and Balbir Singh Senior carry that history in their names. Welcoming teams this way connects the tournament to the local culture rather than keeping it inside the stadium walls.
Our Take: A Warm Start, but the Real Test Is on the Turf
In our view, this is exactly how a host should open a major tournament. The South Korea team arrived after a long journey and was met with music and colour instead of paperwork and silence. That kind of welcome costs little and means a lot, and it puts the visiting side in a good mood before the competition begins.
To put it plainly, the dhol and Bhangra will not win anyone a match. Once the whistle blows on October 27, the focus shifts to fitness, tactics and finishing. South Korea has brought a full 20-member squad, and with all six teams now in Mohali and Jalandhar, the competition is set to be tight.
For readers, the takeaway is simple. The Asian Champions Trophy 2026 has effectively begun with the arrivals, and the host city has made its first strong impression. What matters next is whether the hockey on display matches the energy of that airport welcome.
Sources & References
- Original news report on the South Korea men's hockey team's arrival and Punjabi welcome at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Mohali
