The England women’s national hockey team has landed in Hyderabad to participate in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers scheduled from March 8 to 14. The tournament in Hyderabad, Telangana, serves as the final opportunity for teams to secure a spot in the 16-nation World Cup to be held in Wavre and Amstelveen from August 15 to 30.
Eight teams, divided into two pools, are set to compete in the qualifiers. Pool A comprises Austria, England, Italy, and Korea, while Pool B includes India, Scotland, Uruguay, and Wales. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the semifinals, with the semifinal winners, bronze medalist, and the highest-ranked fourth-place finisher across both qualifier events earning qualification.
Matches will take place at the G. M. C. Balayogi Hockey Ground, with the semifinals scheduled for March 13 and the finals on March 14. England, with a rich history in the FIH World Cup having participated in 11 editions, aims to secure a place in Belgium and the Netherlands and surpass their best finish of winning a Bronze medal in 2010.
Captain Flora Peel expressed confidence in the team’s form, highlighting their rigorous training and competitive matches in China. The team is excited and well-prepared for the upcoming challenges. Lili Walker mentioned the team’s familiarity with Indian conditions and their unique preparation methods, including sauna sessions to acclimate to the climate.
England faces a tough challenge in Pool A, starting their campaign against Italy on March 8, followed by matches against the Republic of Korea on March 9 and Austria on March 11.
