India's Experienced Stars Rally Behind World Cup Debutants Ahead of FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026

With less than two weeks to go before the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026, the Indian women's hockey team is entering the tournament with renewed optimism, a blend of experienced campaigners and exciting young talent, and a belief that this squad can create history.

India will begin its campaign on August 16 against China in Pool D, where England and South Africa complete the group. While the spotlight naturally falls on captain Salima Tete and several established stars, another compelling storyline surrounds the large group of players preparing to make their World Cup debut.

For the experienced members of the squad, helping those newcomers settle into hockey's biggest tournament has become just as important as preparing tactically for the challenges ahead.

India heads into the World Cup in encouraging form after a successful first half of the season. The team secured qualification for the World Cup before lifting the FIH Nations Cup, earning promotion back to the prestigious FIH Pro League. Those achievements have restored confidence within the squad and provided valuable momentum heading into one of the biggest tournaments in world hockey.

Another major boost has been the return of Sjoerd Marijne as Chief Coach earlier this year.

Marijne is no stranger to Indian hockey success. He guided the team to its historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, a campaign that transformed the perception of Indian women's hockey and inspired a new generation of players.

Now back in charge, the Dutch coach will hope to guide India to its best-ever World Cup performance in modern times. India's finest finish at the Women's Hockey World Cup remains the fourth-place finish in the inaugural edition in 1974, a record this squad hopes to challenge.

The 20-member Indian squad features a significant number of World Cup debutants. Among the defenders, Lalthantluangi, Shilpi Dabas and Ishika Chaudhary are preparing for their first appearance at the tournament. The midfield welcomes first-time participants Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo and Deepika Soreng, while the forward line includes debutants Deepika, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur and Beauty Dungdung.

For each of them, the World Cup represents years of hard work finally culminating in an opportunity to compete against the world's finest players. Yet alongside the excitement comes inevitable pressure. Competing on hockey's biggest stage is vastly different from domestic competitions or even continental tournaments, making the role of experienced teammates particularly valuable.

One of India's most experienced forwards, Navneet Kaur, will compete in her third World Cup. Having experienced the highs and pressures of previous editions, she believes the most important responsibility of senior players is ensuring younger teammates never feel isolated.

"We tell them not to hide such feelings because then they might struggle to manage that pressure, which can affect the team as well," Navneet explained. She revealed that senior players regularly check in with the newcomers during training camps, encouraging open conversations whenever they experience difficult days or begin overthinking the tournament.

"Our job is to maintain that connection with them so that they can easily share with us both on and off the field and then we can help them overcome those emotions." Rather than ignoring nerves, India's leadership group has chosen to address them openly.

Midfielder Lalremsiami, preparing for her second World Cup, echoed that approach. She believes the young players already possess the technical ability required to compete at the highest level. "The players going to their first World Cup are very skilful. They are very disciplined, both on and off the field."

According to Lalremsiami, many of the younger players frequently ask what it feels like to play at a World Cup.

Her answer remains straightforward. "Just apply in the match what you have learned in training and give your 100%." The message reflects a common philosophy within the Indian camp focus on preparation rather than becoming overwhelmed by the occasion.

Veteran defender Sushila Chanu believes the transition of younger players into the senior setup has been smooth because many have already experienced international competition together. Several debutants featured during India's successful World Cup qualification campaign in Hyderabad before also contributing to the Nations Cup triumph in New Zealand.

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"Our understanding has been good; the coordination became even better while we trained together in the national camp," Sushila said.

That continuity has helped create strong relationships between experienced internationals and emerging players before the World Cup begins.

India's greatest strength may now lie in the balance of its squad. Experienced names such as Salima Tete, Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami and Sushila Chanu provide leadership, composure and tournament experience, while the younger players bring energy, pace and fearlessness.

That combination has already delivered encouraging results during 2026 and will now be tested against some of the world's strongest teams. India's Pool D campaign begins against China before further matches against England and South Africa determine qualification for the knockout stages.

The World Cup represents another important milestone in the continued rise of Indian women's hockey. Following the memorable Tokyo Olympic campaign and recent success in the Nations Cup, expectations around the team have grown significantly. However, within the squad, the emphasis remains firmly on preparation, trust and teamwork rather than external pressure.

The experienced players have embraced the responsibility of helping the next generation navigate their first World Cup, ensuring that nerves are replaced by confidence and excitement.

As India prepares to begin its campaign in Belgium and the Netherlands, the team's biggest strength may not simply be its tactics or talent, but the unity that exists within the group. With seasoned campaigners guiding an ambitious group of debutants, India will hope that blend of experience and youthful enthusiasm can propel them towards their best Women's Hockey World Cup performance in more than five decades.