Indian Women's Hockey Team Prepares for FIH World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad

Arrival and Tournament Overview

On Sunday afternoon, the Indian Women's Hockey Team arrived in Hyderabad, Telangana, in preparation for the FIH World Cup 2026 Qualifiers scheduled from March 8 to 14. Earlier that day, the Scotland Women's Hockey Team also landed in the city, marking the start of their journey in this eight-nation tournament, as reported by Hockey India.

Focus on Home Advantage

With three spots available for World Cup qualification, both teams are eager to acclimatize quickly and gain momentum as the competition approaches. The Indian team aims to leverage their home advantage, supported by local fans. They recently completed a month-long training camp in Bengaluru, concentrating on fitness, conditioning, and tactical strategies to ensure they are well-prepared for the tournament.

Insights from the Captains

Captain Salima Tete expressed her enthusiasm about being in Hyderabad, stating, "We are thrilled to be here. Competing at home is always a unique experience for us. Our preparations have been thorough, and the team feels confident. We aim to perform our best in every match and strive for World Cup qualification. The support from home will undoubtedly inspire us."

Scotland's Captain Sarah Robertson shared her excitement about their first visit to India, saying, "We are eager for the challenges ahead. Our goal is to qualify for the World Cup. We recognize the difficulties we face, but we are prepared to tackle them."

Upcoming Matches in Pool B

India and Scotland are placed in Pool B along with Uruguay and Wales. India will kick off their campaign against Uruguay on March 8, followed by matches against Scotland and Wales on March 9 and 11, respectively.

Scotland will start their tournament against Wales on March 8 and will play against Uruguay on March 11.