~Hyderabad will welcome eight countries from March 8 to 14 as teams compete for places in the World Cup~
Hyderabad, January 12, 2025: Hockey India on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Telangana government to host the Women’s 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers, to be held in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14, 2026.
The prestigious qualifying tournament will see eight international teams – hosts India, England, Scotland, Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales and Austria – compete for a place at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026, which will take place from 15 to 30 August 2026.
Three coveted World Cup places are at stake in Hyderabad, with the teams finishing first, second and third in the tournament, earning direct qualification for the global showpiece. The upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup will feature 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams, with nine teams in each category having already qualified, paving the way for an intense and high-quality qualifying phase.
The signing of the MoU further underlines India’s growing status as a global hub for international hockey and highlights Telangana’s increasing prominence as a destination of choice for hosting major sporting events.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri A. Revanth Reddy, Honorable Chief Minister of Telangana said, “Telangana is proud to partner with Hockey India and the FIH to host the Women’s 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad. This event reflects our government’s strong commitment to promoting sports, empowering women athletes and positioning Hyderabad as a world-class sports destination. We look forward to welcoming the passionate hockey nations and providing an exceptional experience for them. both players and fans.”
Telangana Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari also said, “It is a great opportunity for us to showcase the interest and ambition we have for sports development in the Telangana region. Investing in sports equals investing in the youth and we are delighted to have been chosen to host this prestigious event and international hockey will be hosted in our state for the first time in many years.”
The MOU was signed in the presence of Telangana Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, Chairman Shivsena Reddy, VC and MD Sonibala of Telangana government. Also present during the signing were FIH President Tayyab Ikram, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey, General Secretary Shri Bhola Nath Singh, Treasurer Sekar J Manoharan and Director General Cdr RK Srivastava.
Welcoming the partnership, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “India continues to play a vital role in the global hockey ecosystem, and Hyderabad has proven itself as an excellent host city. We are delighted to see the Government of Telangana and Hockey India coming together to host a world-class qualifying event. With World Cup places at stake
and top athletes in action, fans can expect highly competitive and exciting hockey.”
Meanwhile, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey, expressing his confidence in the hosts, said: “This MoU marks another significant milestone for Hockey India as we continue to bring the highest level of international hockey to the country. Hyderabad has the infrastructure, experience and passionate fan base required to host an event of this magnitude. We are confident that the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers will further inspire young players across India.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Shri Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India, added: “Hosting the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026 is a big responsibility, and we welcome the full support of the Government of Telangana. Our focus will be on delivering a seamless tournament that adheres to international standards while providing teams with the best possible playing conditions.”
With qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 on the line, the qualifier in Hyderabad promises a week of high-intensity hockey and a celebration of the women’s game on the world stage.