New Delhi- The Indian women’s hockey team is set to begin its FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign in Belgium and the Netherlands with a blend of experience, youthful talent and renewed confidence.
India’s best-ever World Cup finish came at the inaugural edition in 1974, where the team finished fourth. More than five decades later, the side will aim to create another memorable chapter under captain Salima Tete, who is preparing for her second World Cup appearance.
India boasts remarkable experience, with five players—Savita, Neha, Nikki Pradhan, Navneet Kaur and Lalremsiami—having more than 200 senior international caps. Goalkeeper Savita, with 313 caps, is the most-capped player at the tournament and is just seven appearances short of equalling Vandana Katariya’s Indian record of 320 caps.
Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne, who guided India to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, returned to the role in January 2026. Under his guidance, India won the FIH Nations Cup 2026 and secured a place in next season’s FIH Pro League. India qualified for the World Cup after finishing runners-up at the Hyderabad Qualifiers.
India are placed in Pool D alongside China, South Africa and England. They will face China on August 16, South Africa on August 18 and England on August 20.
The squad features 11 World Cup debutants, including 18-year-old Sakshi Rana and 19-year-old Sunelita Toppo. Forward and drag-flicker Deepika, one of the joint top-scorers at the Nations Cup, will be a key attacking threat.
With seasoned campaigners and promising youngsters, India will look to make history on the world stage.
