India’s women’s hockey team, placed in Pool D alongside England, China, and South Africa for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands, is gearing up for the tough competition ahead. Chief coach Sjoerd Marijne expresses confidence in the team’s ability to showcase their style of hockey consistently. The tournament is scheduled for August this year, with China leading the group rankings as the fourth-ranked team globally.
The upcoming event poses a significant challenge for India, with England, winners of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, ranked sixth, and South Africa placed nineteenth. Marijne acknowledges the diverse playing styles within the group, emphasizing the need for his team to be prepared for the varying approaches. He highlights the competitive nature of the pool, with England and China known for their experience and distinct strategies, while South Africa’s team is considered unpredictable and formidable on their best days.
Reflecting on the team’s recent performance in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, where India secured the second spot, Marijne emphasizes the importance of converting opportunities into goals. Despite finishing as the tournament’s second-highest goal scorers, the team aims to enhance their efficiency in both offensive and defensive aspects of the game. Marijne underlines the team’s focus on continuous improvement and consistency as they prepare for the upcoming challenges.
With a vision for long-term success, Marijne aims to build a resilient and fearless team. Having led the squad to a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he stresses the importance of sustained progress and development. The team’s preparation includes upcoming tours to the USA, Argentina, and New Zealand, along with practice matches in Germany and the Netherlands. These strategic engagements are designed to provide the team with a well-rounded mix of competitive matches and training sessions in readiness for the World Cup and Asian Games.
