India have advanced to the second round of the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 after finishing second in Pool D. The Indian women’s hockey team secured its place in the next stage following a goalless draw against England on Thursday.
The tournament has adopted a new format this year, making the second round particularly important for India’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals. The team, led by Salima Tete and coached by Sjoerd Marijne, will now compete in Pool E alongside the Netherlands, Australia and China.
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Under the new format, India must finish among the top two teams in Pool E to secure a place in the semi-finals. With two challenging fixtures against the Netherlands and Australia ahead, India will need to produce strong performances and collect crucial points.
India’s Opponents in Pool E
India will face two teams in the second round — reigning Olympic champions Netherlands and Australia. China is the fourth team in Pool E and joins India in carrying points forward from the earlier stage.
The Netherlands will provide India with a particularly difficult challenge. Playing on home territory in Amstelveen, the Dutch side will look to use its experience and strong record in international hockey to maintain its position at the top of the pool.
Australia, meanwhile, will be India’s second opponent in the next stage. The match could prove crucial in determining the final Pool E standings and the teams that advance to the semi-finals.
Pool E Standings
The standings provided ahead of India’s second-round campaign are as follows:
| Team | Matches | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals Scored | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 |
| China | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| India | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Australia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 0 |
The Netherlands currently lead Pool E with three points, while China and India are level on one point each. Australia are yet to open their account.
For India, every point will be valuable as the team attempts to break into the top two. A victory in either of its remaining fixtures would significantly strengthen its position, while positive results against both opponents could put India in a strong position to qualify for the last-four stage.
India Women’s Hockey World Cup Schedule
India’s first second-round match will be against the Netherlands at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen. The match is scheduled for Friday, August 21, at 9:30 pm IST.
The Indian team will then face Australia two days later. That match will also be played at the Wagener Stadium and is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, at 10:30 pm IST.
| Match | Date | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands vs India | Friday, August 21 | 9:30 pm | Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen |
| Australia vs India | Sunday, August 23 | 10:30 pm | Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen |
What India Need to Reach the Semi-finals
India’s objective in the second round is straightforward: finish in the top two of Pool E. The team will have to navigate two demanding fixtures against the Netherlands and Australia while keeping an eye on the results involving China.
After progressing from Pool D, India will now be aiming to build momentum in the decisive phase of the tournament. The matches against the Netherlands and Australia could ultimately determine whether the Indian women’s team advances to the semi-finals of the 2026 Hockey World Cup.
