The Indian women’s hockey team is aiming to finish in the top three at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026, with coach Sjoerd Marijne leading them once again. The Dutch coach successfully guided the team from 2018 to 2021, helping them reach the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup and finishing fourth at the Tokyo Olympics. After leaving in 2021 to spend time with his family, he returned this year to take charge once more.
In Pool D, India faces China, England, and South Africa during the group stage. All their matches will be held at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands. The team’s opening game is against China on August 16, followed by matches against South Africa on August 18 and England on August 20. The top two teams from each pool advance to the next round.
The second round features two games for each team, with the top two progressing to the semifinals. Only four teams have won the World Cup so far: the Netherlands (nine titles), Argentina, Australia, and Germany (two titles each).
India’s squad includes key players like goalkeeper Savita, defenders Ishika Chaudhary and Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, midfielders Sakshi Rana and Salima Tete, and forwards Lalremsiami and Beauty Dungdung.
Fans in India can watch the matches live on Star Sports SD and HD channels. The JioStar app and website will also provide live streaming coverage of India’s matches during the tournament from August 15 to 30.