Published: June 14, 2026 at 6:33 pm
The Indian women’s hockey team is all set to begin its campaign at the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup New Zealand 2025-26 in Auckland with a clear objective — securing promotion to the next year’s FIH Hockey Pro League.
Captained by Salima Tete, India will open their Pool A campaign against the United States on Monday before facing Japan onTuesday and Uruguay on Thursday. The tournament brings together eight nations, with the winner promoted to the prestigious FIH Hockey Pro League.
Pool B includes hosts New Zealand, Chile, Korea and France.
Indians look to make a strong start
India will look to make a strong start in the pool stage and build momentum heading into the knockout rounds, scheduled to take place on June 20 and 21. The tournament also offers valuable international exposure against quality opposition as the Indian team continues its preparations for major events ahead, including the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup and Asian Games 2026.
Notably, India head into the tournament on the back of a competitive four-match tour of Australia, where they showcased impressive character against one of the world’s strongest teams on their home turf. After suffering a narrow defeat in the opening encounter, the Indian side bounced back in emphatic fashion to register victories in the next two matches before Australia edged the final game, resulting in the friendly series ending in a 2-2 draw.
The tour offered several encouraging signs for the Indian camp, with the team demonstrating resilience under pressure, tactical discipline across all phases of play and a potent attacking threat. The performances reinforced the progress made by the squad in recent months and provided valuable momentum heading into the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup, the first major assignment of an important international season away from home.
We are moving in the right direction, says Marijne
Speaking ahead of the tournament, the Indian women hockey team’s chief coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed confidence in the squad’s preparation and mindset. “The Australia tour was an excellent preparation for us. We were pleased with the way the players responded to challenges, adapted to different situations and competed against a top-quality side. The results gave the group confidence, but more importantly showed that we are moving in the right direction as a team. Now our complete focus is on the Nations Cup and making the most of this opportunity,” he said.
Marijne further stressed the importance of maintaining composure in a tournament where every game carries significance. “In tournaments like these, small moments often make the biggest difference. We need to remain disciplined, stay united as a team and make the most of our opportunities. The objective is not only to achieve good results but also to continue building a strong foundation for the future. We know the expectations are high, and the players are motivated to give their best for the country.”
The objective is not only to achieve good results but also to continue building a strong foundation for the future, says chief coach Sjoerd Marijne. Pics: Hockey India
Hockey India president Dr Dilip Tirkey wished the team success ahead of the tournament. “The FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup presents a significant opportunity for our women’s team to showcase their growth and determination on the international stage. The players have worked extremely hard in preparation for this tournament, and I am confident they will approach every match with the belief and intensity required to succeed. Earning promotion to the FIH Hockey Pro League is an important objective, but equally important is continuing to build a team capable of consistently competing with the world’s best. On behalf of Hockey India, I wish the team and support staff the very best for the tournament and hope they make the nation proud,” Tirkey said.
“The Nations Cup is a crucial tournament in the journey of our women’s team as they continue their preparations towards major international events ahead. This competition provides an excellent platform for the players to test themselves against quality opposition and gain valuable experience in high-pressure situations. The team has shown tremendous commitment and progress over the past few months, and I am confident they will rise to the occasion. We extend our best wishes to the entire squad and look forward to seeing them perform with confidence, discipline and the fighting spirit that Indian hockey is known for,” said HI secretary general Bhola Nath Singh.
India’s pool stage fixtures (IST):
June 15: India vs United States – 4:15 am
June 16: India vs Japan – 6:30 am
June 18: India vs Uruguay – 4:15 am
All FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2025-26 matches will be streamed live on Watch.Hockey for free.
