India women's hockey team goalkeeper Savita Punia believes the side has a genuine opportunity to finish on the podium at the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026, with the team heading into the tournament on the back of a confidence-boosting Nations Cup triumph.
Speaking to JioStar, Punia highlighted the significance of appearing at her third consecutive Women's Hockey World Cup and said her experience will help her contribute to the team under pressure.
"Playing in the World Cup means a lot to me because this is my third World Cup. For any hockey player, the World Cup and the Olympics are the two biggest stages," Punia said.
The veteran goalkeeper believes India's recent performances against leading international sides have strengthened the team's
belief. The Nations Cup victory, in particular, has given the squad a major boost after securing a gold medal.
"Winning the FIH Nations Cup was a big achievement because all the top teams were there. It was a competitive tournament, and coming out on top gave us a huge boost and winning a gold medal after a long time has lifted the team's morale and belief," she told JioStar.
Punia also pointed to India's competitive outings against teams such as Argentina, the Netherlands and Germany in the FIH Pro League as evidence that the side can challenge the world's best.
"I can confidently say about this Indian women's hockey team that while all the teams are world-class, there is no team we cannot compete with," she said.
The goalkeeper believes a disciplined approach could put India in contention for a podium finish. "We are going into the Women's Hockey World Cup with a lot of confidence, but our main focus is on our own game," Punia said. "If we play to our strengths and stick to our plans, we have a real chance of finishing on the podium. "
Punia also praised captain Salima Tete for her leadership, describing her as an aggressive midfielder whose speed and ability to read the game make her a key figure for India. Alongside vice-captain Navneet Kaur, Tete has helped maintain unity and focus within the squad, Punia added.
