India begin their Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign with little margin for error on Sunday when they face fourth-ranked China, the Paris Olympic silver medallists, in a challenging Pool D opener.
Ranked ninth in the world, India know that a strong start could prove crucial in a group that also features England and South Africa. The tournament’s new format adds further importance to every result, making the opening encounter against one of the competition’s leading sides an immediate test of their credentials.
The Indian team has had time to adapt to European conditions, training at the Wagener Stadium and playing a practice match against hosts and defending champions the Netherlands. The China clash also carries significance beyond the World
Cup, with the two sides set to meet again at next month’s Asian Games.
India’s World Cup history offers both inspiration and unfinished business. Their best finish came at the inaugural edition in 1974, when Ajinder Kaur’s team finished fourth. After appearing in just eight of the previous 15 editions, India will now aim to better their ninth-place finish from 2022.
For 11 members of the squad, this will be their first World Cup.
Experience, however, is not in short supply.
Goalkeeper Savita leads the way with 313 international appearances and is playing at her third World Cup after featuring at two Olympics and three Asian Games.
Defender Sushila Chanu has 262 caps, while Navneet Kaur, Nikki Pradhan and Neha Goyal have each passed the 200-match milestone.
Savita believes India’s fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics can serve as added motivation as they pursue a podium finish.
“The pain of missing out on a medal at the Tokyo Olympics after coming so close still lingers. This time, we will not hesitate,” she said.
“We have high expectations from ourselves and want to finish on the podium.”
Recent results have given India further reason for optimism. The team won the FIH Nations Cup in New Zealand, earning a return to the Pro League. Drag-flicker Deepika also returned to form after recovering from injury, scoring six goals during the tournament.
Navneet has become another important attacking outlet. She struck six times during India’s Asia Cup campaign and added four goals in the World Cup qualifiers, where she was named Player of the Tournament.
China, though, present a formidable challenge. They defeated India 4-1 at the 2025 Asia Cup in Hangzhou before going on to claim the continental title. The Chinese also secured silver at the Paris Olympics and finished fourth in each of the last two Pro League seasons.
Their rise has come under Australian coach Alison Annan, a six-time FIH Coach of the Year who previously led the Netherlands to both World Cup and Olympic gold.
India coach Sjoerd Marijne, who guided the side to fourth place at the Tokyo Olympics, believes his squad is prepared for the demands ahead.
“We see the World Cup as the next step after the FIH Nations Cup. This team is full of confidence and ready to face the challenges ahead,” the Dutchman said.
Marijne has also expanded his support staff. Wayne Lombard has joined as chief scientific advisor and athletic performance specialist, while Matias Vila will oversee analysis and Taeke Taekema will provide expertise in drag-flicking. Rodet Yila and Ciara Yila further strengthen the team’s sports-science setup, underlining the emphasis being placed on physical readiness and performance.
China’s ranking and recent record make them the favourites on paper, but India enter the contest with growing confidence and a squad capable of making the Olympic silver medallists work for every advantage.
A strong opening result would give India more than crucial points. It could provide momentum for the rest of the pool stage, reinforce belief within the squad and offer a psychological boost ahead of their next meeting with China at the Asian Games.
The match begins at 4:30 PM IST.
