India’s impressive run started at the Asia Cup 2025 in Hangzhou, where only hosts and eventual champions China managed to defeat them. Forward players Navneet Kaur and Mumtaz Khan, the 2022 FIH Young Player of the Year, scored six goals each as India secured the silver medal. The team narrowly missed the title after losing 4-1 to Olympic silver medallists China in the final.
Six months later, India claimed another silver medal at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers held in Hyderabad, India. Navneet Kaur was named Player of the Tournament and added four more goals to her growing international record. India reached the final after recording three wins and one draw, defeating Uruguay and Wales, while drawing 2-2 against Scotland. They then defeated Italy 1-0 in the semi-final. Although England won the final 2-0, India’s outstanding performances secured their qualification for the World Cup.
India’s latest achievement came at the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, in June, where they delivered their strongest performance by winning all five matches and securing promotion to the next season of the FIH Hockey Pro League. India defeated the United States 3-2, Japan 2-1, Uruguay 3-2, Chile 6-0 and hosts New Zealand 2-0 to finish at the top of the standings.
Deepika played a crucial role in the Nations Cup triumph, scoring six penalty-corner goals, while Lalremsiami, the 2019 FIH Young Player of the Year, was named Player of the Match in the final against the Black Sticks.
India qualified for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 by finishing second at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad, India.
India’s notable achievements include a bronze medal at the FIH Champions Challenge in 2002, a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2002, a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2006, fourth-place finishes at the Olympic Games in 1980 and 2021, an Asian Games gold medal in 1982, Asian Games silver medals in 1998 and 2018, four Asian Games bronze medals in 1986, 2006, 2014 and 2022, two Asia Cup gold medals in 2004 and 2017, and Asia Cup silver medals in 1999, 2009 and 2025.
India’s previous Women’s Hockey World Cup rankings include fourth place in 1974, seventh place in 1978, 11th place in 1983, 12th place in 1998, 11th place in 2006, ninth place in 2010, eighth place in 2018 and ninth place in 2022.
Head coach Sjoerd Marijne returns to lead India after previously overseeing a transformative phase between 2017 and 2021. Under his guidance, India achieved a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which were held in 2021. After stepping down following the Olympics to spend more time with his family, the former Netherlands women’s and India men’s head coach returned to the role in 2025. Having already made an immediate impact, Marijne will look to create another memorable chapter at the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Head Coach Sjoerd Marijne said, “We are looking forward to the World Cup as we see this as a new step with the team after the Nations Cup. We come with confidence and are ready to face the challenges ahead for us.”
Captain Salima Tete said, “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.”
Navneet Kaur remains one of the key players to watch for India. A vital member of the team’s talented and dynamic forward line, she brings pace, skill and creativity capable of challenging any defence. At the time of reporting, she had scored 94 goals in 211 international appearances while also contributing numerous assists since making her international debut against Ireland in April 2014 at the age of 18.
With recent achievements, experienced leadership and a confident squad, India’s women’s hockey team heads into the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 determined to strengthen its position on the global stage.
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