Hockey India announces 20-member Indian women’s squad for FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

Salima Tete has been named skipper of the 20-member Indian women’s hockey squad by Hockey India (HI) for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers scheduled to be held from March 8 in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Hosts India, England, Scotland, Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales, and Austria will be competing for three qualification spots at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands in August.

The teams are divided into two pools, with England, Korea, Italy, and Austria in Pool A, while hosts India, Scotland, Uruguay, and Wales in Pool B.

Seasoned midfielder Salima Tete will continue to lead the home team in the season’s first important competition.

The newly appointed chief national women’s hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne said, we are really looking forward to our first tournament together. “We have been working on the fitness and the tactics. Everybody understands their tasks and role in the team. We will play two practice matches in Hyderabad to be fully ready for the matches ahead,” the coach added.

India will open their campaign against Uruguay on March 8 followed by matches against Scotland and Wales on March 9 March 11.

The 20-member Indian women’s squad:

Bansari Solanki, Bichu Devi Kharibam (goalkeepers), Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Nikki Pradhan, Manisha Chauhan, Udita,  Ishika Chaudhary (defenders), Neha, Salima Tete, Sunelita Toppo, Sakshi Rana, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Deepika Soreng (midfielders), Navneet Kaur, Ishika, Lalremsiami, Beauty Dungdung, Baljeet Kaur, Annu (forwards)

EOM