India women’s hockey team builds momentum ahead of 2026 FIH World Cup

From the Asia Cup heartbreak to lifting the Nations Cup in New Zealand, the Indian women's hockey team has built strong momentum. Led by Salima Tete, India now turns its focus to Pool D at the 2026 FIH World Cup

Hyderabad: The Indian women’s team’s journey to the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026 has been defined by resilience, determination and an unwavering belief in its abilities.

From the disappointment of narrowly missing direct qualification at the Women’s Asia Cup 2025 to sealing a World Cup berth in the qualifiers on home soil before lifting the FIH Nations Cup title in New Zealand, the past year has showcased the character and steady progress of a squad that now heads to international hockey’s biggest stage with confidence and momentum.

---

The showpiece event, jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, will be held from 15 to 30 August 2026. Drawn in Pool D, India will face China, England and South Africa in the group stage. The team will play all its pool matches at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, opening its campaign against China on 16 August, followed by South Africa on 18 August and England on 20 August.

Road to the World Cup

India came agonisingly close to securing direct qualification during the Asia Cup 2025. After an impressive run to the final, India fell short against hosts China, missing out on the automatic World Cup berth.

While the defeat was a setback, it also became a turning point, as the squad used the experience as motivation to refine its preparations and focus on the next opportunity to keep its World Cup dream alive.

The team regrouped at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad in March 2026. Competing in front of home supporters under Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne, India remained unbeaten on their way to the final, sealing qualification for the World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Italy in the semi-final. Although England edged out India in the final, the silver medal capped off a successful campaign as the team booked its place in the showpiece FIH event.

Experienced forward Navneet Kaur was one of India’s standout performers during the qualifiers, finishing with four goals, including a hat-trick against Wales, and was deservedly named the ‘Player of the Tournament’.

The team’s biggest statement came at the Nations Cup in New Zealand last month, where India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament to lift the title and secure promotion back to the FIH Pro League.

India opened the tournament with a spirited 3-2 comeback victory over the United States after trailing by two goals before registering victories over Japan and Uruguay to top the group.

The Salima Tete-led team then produced a commanding 6-0 win over Chile in the semi-final before overcoming New Zealand 2-0 in the title clash. Drag-flicker Deepika’s six-goal haul saw her finish as the joint top scorer of the tournament, underlining the attacking depth India will carry into the World Cup.

The past year has also been marked by several significant individual milestones within the squad. Navneet Kaur completed 200 international caps during the Women’s Asia Cup 2025 before adding the ‘Player of the Tournament’ honour at the World Cup Qualifiers. Defender Nikki Pradhan also reached the landmark of 200 international appearances during the qualifiers in Hyderabad, while captain Salima celebrated her 150th international cap in the tournament’s final against England.

With recent success and a squad that blends experience and youth, India will head to Belgium and the Netherlands carrying confidence, momentum and belief that they can compete with the very best. As the countdown to the World Cup enters its final stretch, the team will aim to translate its recent progress into a memorable campaign on the global stage.