Italian Women's Hockey Team Arrives in Hyderabad for World Cup Qualifiers

The Italian women's national hockey team has arrived in Hyderabad for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, scheduled from March 8 to 14. Competing in Pool A against England, Korea, and Austria, Italy aims to secure one of three spots for the World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. Captain Sara Puglisi expressed confidence in the team's preparation and readiness to compete. The tournament promises to be an exciting showcase of international hockey talent.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 4, 2026, 18:14 IST

Arrival in Hyderabad

The Italian women's national hockey team has landed in Hyderabad, Telangana, in preparation for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

Tournament Overview

Taking place from March 8 to 14, this tournament will see eight nations vying for three vital spots in the highly anticipated World Cup scheduled for August in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Italy's Group and Historical Context

Italy finds itself in Pool A, where they will compete against England, Korea, and Austria. Historically, Italy has qualified for the FIH Hockey World Cup on two occasions: first in 1976 and again in 2018, achieving their highest finish of ninth place during the latter.

Match Schedule

The Italian team will kick off their tournament against England on March 8, followed by matches against Austria and Korea on March 9 and March 11, respectively.

Captain's Statement

Sara Puglisi, the captain of the Italian women's national hockey team, expressed her team's readiness, stating, "We have just arrived in Hyderabad after a good period of preparation with the team. We are ready to compete and achieve the results we need to qualify for the FIH Hockey World Cup. That is what we hope, and that's what we have trained so hard for."