India Women’s Hockey Team Builds Momentum Ahead of 2026 FIH World Cup

Getting Momentum for the Big Stage

The Indian women’s hockey team has had quite the journey recently, turning heartbreak into fuel. The squad didn’t let their heads drop after a narrow, painful defeat in the Women’s Asia Cup. Instead, they bounced back stronger under head coach Sjoerd Marijne, battling their way through qualifiers and capping it all with a brilliant, unbeaten title run at the FIH Nations Cup in New Zealand.

Now with team chemistry clicking and confidence at an all-time high, captain Salima Tete and her 20-member squad are ready for the biggest stage of all.

Pool D at the 2026 FIH World Cup

The quadrennial 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, is officially just around the corner – scheduled for August 15 to 30, 2026. India have been placed in a tough but exciting Pool D, and all their group stage matches will be held at the historic Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands:

• India vs China – 16 Aug 2026

• India vs South Africa – 18 August 2026

• Aug. 20, 2026 India vs. England

20-Man Team

Hockey India has picked a good mix of seasoned veterans and fearless young talent to take on the world’s best. Here’s the squad for the trip to the Netherlands:

• Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam

• Defenders: Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Shilpi Dabas

• Midfielders: Salima Tete (C), Sunelita Toppo, Neha, Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Deepika Soreng

• Forwards: Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Beauty Dungdung

This team has grit, momentum, and a whole lot of heart and is ready to make some serious noise on the world stage.