The Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers will be hosted by India in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14, Hockey India announced on Monday.
The qualification tournament will feature eight international teams – India, England, Scotland, Republic of Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales and Austria – competing for three spots at the Women’s Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30.
The teams finishing first, second and third in Hyderabad will earn direct qualification for the global hockey showpiece.
A total of 16 teams will compete in the Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, with nine already assured of their places.
The Netherlands will enter the tournament as defending champions, having beaten Argentina in the final of the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2022 in Terrassa, Spain. India had finished ninth there after failing to make the quarter-finals.
India’s best finish at the Women’s Hockey World Cup came at the inaugural edition in 1974, when they finished fourth in France
Meanwhile, the Indian men’s hockey team has already secured qualification for the Hockey World Cup 2026 after winning the Asia Cup in Bihar last year.
India defeated the Republic of Korea 4-1 in the Asia Cup final, ending an eight-year wait to reclaim the continental title and sealing their berth for the Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, also to be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands in August.
