The stage is set in Hyderabad, Telangana, where India’s women’s hockey powerhouse steps into the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier 2026 with qualification for the marquee event squarely in sight. Beginning Sunday, this crucible will test eight nations vying for precious World Cup tickets amid electric home crowds.
Joining hosts India are heavyweights England, Scotland, Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales, and Austria. Teams are split into Group A (England, Korea, Italy, Austria) and Group B (India, Scotland, Uruguay, Wales). Semifinal berths await the top two from each pool, culminating in gold and bronze medal showdowns.
Securing first, second, or third place guarantees a spot in the 2026 World Cup, expanding to 16 teams per gender—with nine already qualified. Even fourth place offers hope: the highest-ranked team at that position advances.
World No. 9 India, second only to No. 7 England in rankings, opens against Uruguay on March 8, then faces Scotland and Wales on March 9 and 11. New coach Schord Marin leads a squad hungry to build on their legacy, including a proud fourth-place finish in 1974 across eight prior World Cups.
Skipper Salima Tete rallies the troops: ‘We’re thrilled to compete here in Hyderabad. The domestic support always fuels us. Our preparation has been intense; we know the competition is cutthroat. We’ll take it match by match, giving everything to lock in our World Cup place.’
With strong backing and tactical nous, India is poised for a standout performance, potentially reigniting national passion for women’s hockey.