FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier: Indian Women’s Team Aims to Secure World Cup Spot

Hyderabad: The India women’s national field hockey team will aim to secure a place in the upcoming FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 when they compete in the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier 2026, starting March 8 in Hyderabad, Telangana.

According to a press release from Hockey India, the tournament will feature eight teams—host India women’s national field hockey team, England women’s national field hockey team, Scotland women’s national field hockey team, South Korea women’s national field hockey team, Italy women’s national field hockey team, Uruguay women’s national field hockey team, Wales women’s national field hockey team, and Austria women’s national field hockey team—all competing for three qualification spots for the global tournament.

Qualification Format

Three direct World Cup berths will be available in Hyderabad. The first, second, and third-placed teams in the tournament will secure qualification for the 2026 edition. The upcoming World Cup will feature 16 teams each in the men’s and women’s categories, with nine teams in each category already qualified, setting up a highly competitive qualification phase.

The tournament format divides teams into two pools of four teams each. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals. The winners of both semifinals and the bronze medal match will earn automatic qualification for the World Cup. Additionally, the highest-ranked fourth-placed team in the world rankings will also qualify.

Pool Division

• Pool A: England, Korea, Italy, Austria

• Pool B: India, Scotland, Uruguay, Wales

The tournament will serve as the final gateway to the World Cup and promises high-intensity competition among some of the world’s leading hockey nations.

India will rely on strong home support in Hyderabad as the team competes under newly appointed chief coach Sjoerd Marijne, who returned earlier this year to guide the side.

Currently ranked ninth in the world, India is the second-highest ranked team in the tournament after England, which is ranked seventh globally. With a strong squad and the advantage of playing at home, the hosts will look to capitalize on the opportunity and secure qualification for the World Cup.

India will begin their campaign against Uruguay women’s national field hockey team on March 8, followed by matches against Scotland women’s national field hockey team on March 9 and Wales women’s national field hockey team on March 11.

Notably, the Indian women’s team has previously competed in eight editions of the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup and will be aiming for their ninth appearance. Their best finish came in the first edition in 1974, where they secured fourth place.

Ahead of the tournament, team captain Salima Tete said, “We are very excited to play the qualifiers at home in front of our fans. The team has been working extremely hard because we know what is at stake. Every team here is competing for a place in the World Cup, so we expect tough matches from the start.”

She added, “Playing in Hyderabad will be very special for us. The support from home fans always gives us extra motivation. Our focus is on taking one match at a time, staying disciplined, and giving our best so we can perform well and secure our place in the World Cup.”