# Indian women hockey team aims for podium finish at World Cup

2026-08-13T16:34:05+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

The Indian women’s hockey team enters the FIH World Cup 2026 in the Netherlands and Belgium starting August 13 with realistic hopes of a podium finish, led by goalkeeper Savita Punia. India won the FIH Nations Cup and secured Pro League promotion, building on a rejuvenated squad under coach Sjoerd Marijne, who guided the team to a Tokyo Olympics semi-final. However, The Hindu reports tempered expectations given India’s best-ever fourth-place finish in 1974 and tough pool opponents China (world no. 4), England, and South Africa. India relies on experienced players like Savita, Salima Tete, and Navneet Kaur. The World Cup serves as preparation for the Asian Games, where a gold medal would secure Olympic qualification. Co-host Netherlands is the overwhelming favourite for the title.

## Coverage

- sports.ndtv.com <https://sports.ndtv.com/hockey/we-have-a-real-chance-of-finishing-on-the-podium-india-star-savita-punia-on-hockey-world-cup-11905915#publisher=newsstand>
- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/sport/hockey/hockey-world-cup-indian-women-will-aim-for-the-podium-but-with-tempered-expectations/article71341825.ece>
- hindustantimes.com <https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/hockey/hockey-world-cup-2026-india-have-form-and-talent-but-set-piece-overdependence-may-cost-them-in-tough-path-to-the-final-101786623429042.html>

Tags: Asian Games, fih world cup, India hockey, Savita Punia, Sjoerd Marijne, women's hockey
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/indian-womens-hockey-team-targets-podium-at-world-cup/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/indian-womens-hockey-team-targets-podium-at-world-cup/#story-in-brief

Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.