Hockey fans rejoice—India’s women’s team squad for the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifier is out, with Salima Tete appointed captain. The 20-player group will compete in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14, aiming for glory on home turf.
Joining India are England, Scotland, Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales, and Austria in the race for three World Cup spots in Belgium/Netherlands. The format splits them into Pool A (England, Korea, Italy, Austria) and Pool B (India, Scotland, Uruguay, Wales), setting up intriguing matchups.
Key appointments include goalkeepers Bansari Solanki and Bichu Devi Kharibam. The defense unit—Sushila Chanu, Nikki Pradhan, Manisha Chauhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary—offers resilience. Tete captains a midfield packed with Neha, Sunita Toppo, Sakshi Rana, Vaishnavi Vitthal Falke, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Deepika Soreng.
Forwards Navneet Kaur, Ishika, Lalremsiami, Beauty Dungdung, Baljeet Kaur, Annu are set to unleash scoring prowess.
New coach Shourd Marin emphasized unity: ‘First tournament together—focusing on fitness, strategy, role clarity. Two warm-ups in Hyderabad will get us match-ready.’
Opening fixtures: Uruguay March 8, Scotland March 9, Wales March 11. Salima Tete’s leadership, honed through years of high-level play, combined with strategic preparations, signals India’s readiness to claim a World Cup berth and inspire a nation.