Kabaddi at the 2026 Asian Games runs from 21 to 26 September at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. India are the defending champions in both the men’s and women’s events.
The groups
Ten men’s teams are split into two groups of five. India are in Group A with Bangladesh, the Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei and hosts Japan. Group B contains Iran, Pakistan, Nepal, Thailand and Malaysia, which keeps India and Iran apart until the knockouts.
The women’s event has eight teams. India are in Group A with Iran, Japan and Bangladesh, while Sri Lanka, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Nepal make up Group B.
Format and key dates
Each team plays everyone in its group once, and the top two go through to the semi-finals on 25 September. There is no bronze-medal match: both beaten semi-finalists receive bronze. The gold-medal matches are on 26 September.
India’s squads
Sunil Kumar captains the 12-man men’s squad, which includes Pawan Sehrawat, Arjun Deshwal, Aslam Inamdar, Ashu Malik, Ayan Lohchab and Devank Dalal. Pushpa Rana leads the women’s team, coached by Neeta Dadwe.