Salima Tete to captain India at FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026
Synopsis
Fresh off an unbeaten FIH Nations Cup triumph in New Zealand, India head to the Women's Hockey World Cup 2026 with Salima Tete as captain and a squad coach Sjoerd Marijne calls 'well-balanced.' Pool D pits them against China, England, and South Africa at Amstelveen — a genuine test of whether that Nations Cup form can hold on the world stage.
Key Takeaways
Salima Tete named captain of India's 20-member squad for the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026 .
The tournament is co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium , running 15 to 30 August 2026 .
India are placed in Pool D with China , England , and South Africa ; all pool matches at Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen .
India open against China on 16 August , then face South Africa ( 18 August ) and England ( 20 August ).
The squad includes Nations Cup winners who remained unbeaten in New Zealand last month.
Chief coach Sjoerd Marijne described the group as 'ready for the big challenges' of the tournament.
Salima Tete will captain the Indian women's hockey team at the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026, with Hockey India on 17 July announcing a 20-member squad that chief coach Sjoerd Marijne has described as 'a well-balanced group.' The tournament, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium, runs from 15 to 30 August 2026.
Squad Composition
Goalkeeping duties will be shared between Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam. The defensive unit features Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, and Shilpi Dabas.
In midfield, captain Salima Tete is flanked by Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Neha, and Deepika Soreng. The forward line consists of Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, and Beauty Dungdung.
Momentum From New Zealand
The squad is currently in camp at the Sports Authority of India facility in Bengaluru. Several of its members were instrumental in India's unbeaten run at the FIH Nations Cup in New Zealand last month, where the team lifted the trophy — a confidence-boosting result heading into the World Cup.
Notably, the selection blends experienced campaigners with younger players who impressed during that New Zealand campaign, reflecting Marijne's stated preference for continuity alongside fresh energy.
What the Coach Said
Coach Marijne expressed confidence in the group ahead of what is arguably the biggest event in women's field hockey. 'We have chosen a well-balanced group of players who are ready for the big challenges we will face this summer,' he said. 'The team has worked hard in the lead-up to the tournament and we are confident in this group's abilities. We look forward to competing against the best teams in the world and showcasing our hockey on the biggest stage.'
India's Pool D Fixtures
India have been drawn in Pool D alongside China, England, and South Africa. All pool-stage matches will be played at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands. India open their campaign against China on 16 August, followed by clashes against South Africa on 18 August and England on 20 August.
With a trophy already secured in New Zealand and a settled squad under a coach who guided the team through recent international assignments, India will enter the World Cup with credible momentum — and the pressure of expectation.
Point of View
But the real story is structural: India arrive at a World Cup having just won a continental-tier trophy unbeaten — a sequence that rarely precedes disappointment but also rarely guarantees progression past the knockout rounds. Pool D is deceptively competitive; England and China are not teams India can rotate against. Marijne's 'well-balanced' framing is coach-speak worth scrutinising — the forward line carries significant depth, but the defensive record at previous World Cups has been India's soft underbelly. If that holds, a quarterfinal is realistic. If it doesn't, the Nations Cup momentum will look like a false peak.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will captain India at the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026?
Salima Tete will captain India at the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026. Hockey India confirmed her as skipper when announcing the 20-member squad on 17 July.
When and where is the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026?
The FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026 is scheduled from 15 to 30 August 2026, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium. India's pool-stage matches will be held at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.
Which teams are in India's pool at the 2026 Women's Hockey World Cup?
India have been drawn in Pool D alongside China, England, and South Africa. They open against China on 16 August, play South Africa on 18 August, and face England on 20 August.
Who selected the India squad and how was it described?
Chief coach Sjoerd Marijne selected the squad, which he described as 'a well-balanced group of players who are ready for the big challenges.' The squad blends experienced players with younger talent who impressed at the FIH Nations Cup in New Zealand.
What was India's recent form before the World Cup?
India lifted the FIH Nations Cup in New Zealand last month, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. The squad currently training in Bengaluru includes several players from that title-winning campaign.
