Hyderabad, March 3 (NationPress) The women's hockey squads from South Korea and Wales have arrived in Hyderabad in preparation for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. This prestigious eight-nation tournament, scheduled from March 8-14, will be pivotal as it allocates three qualifying spots for the upcoming marquee event in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Under the leadership of Captain Lee Yuri, the Korean team boasts the experience of having participated in nine previous World Cups, striving to reclaim their spot on the international stage and surpass their best finish of a bronze medal in 1990.

On the other hand, Wales is coming off a strong performance, having secured a runner-up position at the 2025 EuroHockey Championship II. They are eager to mark their return to the World Cup, aiming for their first appearance since 1983.

Korea finds itself in Pool A, alongside England, Italy, and Austria, while Wales is placed in Pool B with India, Scotland, and Uruguay.

Earlier, the national teams from England, India, and Scotland have also arrived in Hyderabad, eagerly preparing for this anticipated competition.

England, with a proud history in the tournament, has participated in 11 previous FIH World Cups and is determined to secure their passage to Belgium and the Netherlands. Their goal is to exceed their previous best finish of a hard-fought bronze medal in the 2010 edition.

The English squad has arrived with strong momentum and a focused mindset. Captain Flora Peel conveyed her optimism during their arrival, stating, "We had an excellent training period in England, and prior to that, we participated in the Pro League in China, facing tough competition. The team is in a fantastic place right now, and we're eagerly anticipating the start of the tournament."

India reached Hyderabad from Bengaluru a few days earlier. As the hosts, they aim to leverage their familiarity with the local conditions and the strong support from home fans. They have been preparing rigorously over the past month at their training camp in Bengaluru, focusing on conditioning, fitness, and tactical strategies to ensure they are ready for the challenges ahead.

Regarding the team’s preparation, Captain Salima Tete expressed, "We are thrilled to be in Hyderabad. Competing at home is always meaningful for us. We have trained well in the past weeks, and the team feels confident. Our priority is clear: to perform at our best in every match and strive for World Cup qualification. The support from our home crowd will definitely inspire us."

In total, eight teams divided into two pools of four will compete for the three spots available in the World Cup.