India finished runners-up in the FIH Hockey Womens World Cup Qualifiers after losing to England 0-2 in the final at the GMC Balayogi Hockey Ground in Hyderabad today. However, India qualified for the Womens FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 to be held in Belgium and Netherlands by defeating Italy 1-0 in the semifinals of the Qualifying tournament.

Scotland also booked their berth for the FIH World Cup by defeating Italy 1-0 in the third-place match earlier in the day. Eight countries participated in the qualifying tournament, which commenced earlier on March 8.

The 20-member Indian womens team, featuring only Sunelita Toppo from Odisha, played five matches, won three, lost one and drew one. Sunelita scored one goal each against Uruguay and Scotland. Navneet Kaur (India) was awarded as the Player of the Tournament.

INDIA RESULTS:

8 March 2026: India (Sunelita Toppo 21-PC, Ishika 40-FG, Lalremsiami 49-FG, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal 58-FG) beat Uruguay 4-0. PoM: Rutuja Dadaso Pisal.

9 March 2026: India (Navneet Kaur 18-PC, Sunelita Toppo 29-PC) drew with Scotland (Heather McEwan 6-PC, Fiona Burnet 33-FG) 2-2. Navneet Kaur.

11 March 2026: India (Sakshi Rana 7-FG, Navneet Kaur 29-PC, 34-PC, 55-PS) beat Wales (Betsan Thomas 39-FG) 4-1. PoM: Navneet Kaur.

13 March 2026 (Semifinal): India (Manisha Chauhan 40-PC) beat Italy 1-0. PoM: Sushila Chanu (India).

14 March 2026 (Final): India lost to England (Grace Balsdaon 13-PC, Elizabeth Neal 43-FG) 0-2. PoM: Lily Walker (England).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Players of Indian women hockey team celebrate after booking Womens FIH Hockey World Cup with the semifinal victory against Italy in the Qualifiers in Hyderabad on 13 March 2026.