Indian Women’s Hockey Team Targets Pro League Return At Nations Cup 2025-26

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team will open its FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup New Zealand 2025-26 campaign in Auckland on June 15, with Salima Tete as captain and promotion to next year’s FIH Hockey Pro League as the main target.

India are in Pool A with the United States, Japan and Uruguay. They play the United States on June 15 at 4:15 AM IST, Japan on June 16 at 6:30 AM IST, and Uruguay on June 18 at 4:15 AM IST. The eight-team event will send the winner to the Pro League.

Pool B has hosts New Zealand, Chile, Korea and France. The knockout rounds are set for June 20 and 21. India will also use the tournament as preparation for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup and Asian Games 2026.

Form and build-up

India arrive after a four-match tour of Australia, where they lost the first match, won the next two, and then lost the final game. The series ended 2-2. The tour gave the squad match practice and tested them against one of the world’s strongest teams at home.

Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne said, "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 added, "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."

Support from Hockey India

Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey said, "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."

Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh 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."

All FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2025-26 matches will be streamed live on Watch.Hockey for free.