The 2026 Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup will be co-hosted in Amstelveen, Netherlands, and Wavre, Belgium, from August 15 to August 30. The quadrennial tournament will feature 16 international teams. Hockey India announced the 20-member squad for the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup on Friday.
Coach Sjoerd Marijne, when speaking about the squad that’s currently training at the national camp in Bengaluru, said, “We have chosen a well-balanced group of players who are ready for the big challenges we will face this summer. The team has worked hard in the lead-up to the tournament, and we are confident in this group’s abilities. We look forward to competing against the best teams in the world and showcasing our hockey on the biggest stage.”
Just last month, India won all five of their matches at the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, securing promotion to next season’s FIH Hockey Pro League.
Before the victory in Auckland, during the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers on home turf in Hyderabad, they won a silver medal. Navneet Kaur was named the player of the tournament as she scored four goals. India reached the final with three wins and a draw, defeating Uruguay and Wales either side of a 2-2 draw with Scotland before edging past Italy 1-0 in the semi-final.
Speaking about the upcoming World Cup, captain Salima Tete stated, “Preparing for the World Cup is not just about sweating it out on the field; it is a continuous process of improving ourselves every day. With discipline, hard work and unity, the Indian team is fully prepared to make the nation proud at the World Cup.”
In the World Cup, India has been drawn in Pool D, along with China, England, and South Africa. They will play all their pool-stage matches at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands. India’s campaign starts on 16 August against China, followed by matches against South Africa on 18 August and England on 20 August.
India’s Squad:
Goalkeepers: Savita Punia, Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Shilpi Dabas
Midfielders: Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (C), Neha, Deepika Soreng
Forwards: Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Beauty Dungdung
