Kabaddi World Cup 2026: Can India Reclaim the Crown After Iran's Shock Win?
India enters the World Cup as heavy favourites but Iran, South Korea and Kenya are all capable of causing upsets. Here's our full preview.
Amit Desai
Kabaddi Correspondent
The Kabaddi World Cup returns to India for the first time since 2016, and the host nation is desperate to reclaim the title they lost to Iran in a stunning final four years ago.
India's squad, led by the explosive Pardeep Narwal, is arguably the strongest ever assembled. The team's raiding unit is unmatched globally, but their defence has been questioned after conceding 45 points in a recent warm-up match against South Korea.
Iran, the defending champions, arrive with a battle-hardened squad that has been training at altitude in preparation for the tournament. Their captain Fazel Atrachali remains the world's best all-round kabaddi player.
Kenya's emergence as a genuine contender has been the story of the qualification rounds. Their athletic raiders have troubled every team they've faced.
Amit Desai
KABADDI CORRESPONDENTAmit Desai is a senior sports journalist at Gujarat Sports Network covering kabaddi and related disciplines. With over a decade of experience reporting from stadiums across India, they bring unmatched depth and insight to every story.
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