The Indian women’s hockey team has performed brilliantly in the Hockey World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, going unbeaten in its group and securing its place in the top-8. The Indian women’s team was placed in Pool D in the group stage, playing their last and important match against England on 20 August, which they managed to draw 0–0. With this, the Indian team finished second in its group with 5 points in the pool stage and secured its place in the top-8. In this pool, the Chinese team finished first with one draw and two wins.
Pool D match between India and England women teams in Hockey World Cup 2026 was very exciting. England played a very aggressive game, but failed to penetrate the Indian defense in all four quarters. England Women won 12 penalty corners in the match, but failed to convert any of them. Major credit for this goes to Indian women’s goalkeeper Bichu Devi, who prevented the ball from entering the goal post. The Indian women’s team also earned six penalty corners in the match, but failed to score. Earlier, the Indian women’s team played their first match against China in the pool stage, which ended in a 2-2 draw. In their next match, they won 6–1 against the South African women’s team.
The Indian women’s team has secured their place in Round 8 of the Hockey World Cup 2026, placing them in Pool E along with Netherlands, Australia and China. The Indian women’s team will play only the Netherlands and Australia in this round, their first match against the hosts Netherlands women’s team on August 21 and the next match against the Australian women’s team on August 23.