Hockey India names 31-player camp for women's team ahead of Australia tour
Synopsis
Hockey India's 31-player women's squad enters a critical 10-day camp before an Australia exposure tour and the FIH Nations Cup in June. With World Cup and Asian Games medals at stake, and an Olympic qualification pathway through the Nations Cup winner's route, this camp marks the beginning of a high-stakes international season.
Key Takeaways
Hockey India announced a 31-member Senior Women's National Coaching Camp from 11–20 May 2026 .
The camp precedes an Australia tour and the FIH Nations Cup in Auckland ( 15–21 June ), where the winner secures 2026–27 FIH Hockey Pro League qualification.
The squad will then prepare for the FIH Women's World Cup 2026 in Belgium and the Netherlands ( 15–30 August ) and the 2026 Asian Games in Japan ( 19 September – 4 October ).
The same 31 players from the April 2026 camp are retained, with Salima Tete as captain.
Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne flagged fitness and tactical consistency as the camp's key focus areas.
Hockey India on 10 May 2026 announced a 31-member Senior Women's National Coaching Camp scheduled from 11–20 May, serving as a critical preparatory phase before the team's exposure tour to Australia and subsequent international fixtures.
Tournament calendar and qualification stakes
The camp precedes an Australia tour ahead of the FIH Nations Cup in Auckland, New Zealand (15–21 June 2026). The Nations Cup winner earns direct qualification for the 2026–27 FIH Hockey Pro League, with the Pro League champion securing a berth for the LA 2028 Olympics. The squad will also prepare for the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026 in Belgium and the Netherlands (15–30 August) and the 2026 Asian Games in Japan (19 September – 4 October).
Squad composition and player roles
The 31-player squad retains the same roster from the April 2026 national camp under Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne. The goalkeeping unit features Savita, Madhuri Kindo, Bichu Devi Kharibam (recipient of the Hockey India Baljit Singh Award at the 2025 Hockey India Awards), and Bansari Solanki. The defensive line includes Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Jyoti Singh, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, and Shilpi Dabas.
The midfield is anchored by captain Salima Tete, alongside Sushila Chanu, Manisha Chauhan, Vaishnavi Phalke, Neha, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, and Ishika. The forward contingent comprises Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Lalremsiami, Mumtaz Khan, Deepika Soreng, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Baljeet Kaur, Annu, Beauty Dungdung, Hina Bano, Sonam, and Sangita Kumari.
Coaching focus and strategic priorities
Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne emphasised fitness and tactical refinement as the camp's core objectives.
Point of View
Making June's Auckland event as consequential as the World Cup itself. India's women have shown resilience across the past Olympic cycle, but consistency in fitness and tactical execution has been their Achilles heel. Marijne's emphasis on these areas signals a coach who understands that talent alone will not close the gap against Australia, the Netherlands, and England. The next 60 days—camp, Australia tour, Nations Cup, World Cup—will define whether this squad can translate potential into medals.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hockey India Senior Women's National Coaching Camp?
It is a 10-day preparatory camp held from 11–20 May 2026, bringing together 31 players from the Indian Women's Hockey Team. The camp focuses on fitness, tactical development, and team combination-building ahead of the Australia exposure tour and the FIH Nations Cup in June.
Why is the FIH Nations Cup significant for Indian women's hockey?
The FIH Nations Cup winner earns direct qualification for the 2026–27 FIH Hockey Pro League. The Pro League champion then secures a berth for the LA 2028 Olympics, making the Nations Cup a critical qualification pathway for Olympic hockey.
Which international tournaments will the women's team play in 2026?
The team will compete in the FIH Nations Cup (June, Auckland), the FIH Women's World Cup (August, Belgium and the Netherlands), and the 2026 Asian Games (September–October, Japan).
Who is the captain of the Indian Women's Hockey Team?
Salima Tete is the captain of the Indian Women's Hockey Team and will lead the squad in the upcoming camp and subsequent tournaments.
What is Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne's focus for this camp?
Marijne has prioritised fitness levels and tactical consistency as the primary focus areas. He aims to strengthen player combinations and ensure the team takes the next competitive step before the Australia tour and FIH Nations Cup.
