On Wednesday, March 11, the Indian women’s hockey team secured its qualification for the Women’s Hockey World Cup after winning its final pool match of the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2026. India defeated Wales by 4-1 in their final Pool B match held at the G.M.C. Balayogi Hockey Ground. Navneet Kaur scored a hat-trick, while Sakshi Rana scored the first goal for India. The victory got India a top spot in the Poll B standings and are into the semi-finals, which will be played on March 13.
India powered through at the start of the match through quick transitions and tried to put early pressure on Wales. They got the breakthrough in the seventh minute through captain Salima Tete, who got the ball on the right flank and passed it to Rana, whose reverse sit sets the tone for India, giving their first goal and an early lead in the match.
India continued the momentum and had the chance of doubling their advantage from a penalty corner, but Udita got cleared off the line. Moving into the second quarter, India made a quick counterattack and were close to getting their second through Lalremsiami and Kaur, but the Welsh goalkeeper Ffion Horrell proved decisive.
Meanwhile, Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam made a crucial save attempt in the 25th minute, denying Wales their first penalty corner. India got their second goal in the 29th minute after Kaur struck from the penalty corner. India ended the first quarter at 2-0 while making 15 circle entries and earning possession.
The third quarter went quite similarly. Navneet strikes again in the 34th minute from the penalty corner and extends India’s lead to 3-0. In the final quarter, Wales were awarded a penalty stroke in the 50th minute, but captain Elizabeth Bingham missed it. India then regained control again as Kaur converted a penalty stroke in the 55th minute, completing her hat-trick run and sealing the win for India over Wales by 4-1.
The victory has confirmed India’s place in the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2026. They have also got their qualification for the Women’s Hockey World Cup, Belgium & Netherlands 2026, marking a milestone for India.
