Salima Tete Sets Sights on Hockey World Cup Final as India Women Gear Up for Biggest Hockey Challenge

With less than a month remaining before the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026, India captain Salima Tete has made the team's ambitions clear: they are not travelling merely to compete but to fight for a place in the final.

Buoyed by their recent triumph at the FIH Nations Cup, where India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, the women's team heads into hockey's biggest event with renewed confidence and belief. For Salima, who will captain India at a World Cup for the first time, the tournament represents both a personal milestone and an opportunity for the team to create history.

Scheduled from August 15 to 30, the World Cup will see India begin their campaign in Pool D, where they face China on August 16 before taking on South Africa and England in the remaining group-stage fixtures.

As preparations enter their final phase under chief coach Sjoerd Marijne, Salima believes the squad has the quality, unity and mindset to challenge the world's best.

Leading India at a World Cup is something every hockey player dreams of, and for Salima, the occasion carries immense significance.

"It is a very special feeling for me. Of course, I am excited, but I am also a little nervous because this is the biggest tournament in hockey and leading India is a huge responsibility," she said.

The midfielder acknowledged that while India showed flashes of brilliance at the previous World Cup, the team fell short of its expectations.

This time, however, the objective is far more ambitious.

"We played good hockey in the last World Cup, but the results did not go the way we wanted. This time, we are all talking about going much further and reaching the final. That is the dream we all share."

Rather than focusing solely on tactics, Salima believes leadership begins with setting an example through performances on the field. She also sees it as her responsibility to support the younger members of the squad, many of whom will be experiencing the World Cup stage for the first time.

India's 20-member squad features a healthy blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent. According to Salima, one of the biggest strengths of the current group is the openness between senior and junior players.

"The younger players are never hesitant to approach the seniors, whether it is for advice on the field or simply to discuss something. At the same time, all the experienced players are always ready to guide and support them," she explained.

Creating an environment where every player feels comfortable sharing ideas has become one of her priorities as captain.

She believes communication and trust will be just as important as technical ability during a tournament where the pressure can be overwhelming. "When we trust each other and communicate well, it becomes much easier to handle pressure and perform as a team."

That togetherness has been one of the defining characteristics of India's recent success and will be vital if they are to progress deep into the tournament.

A World Cup inevitably brings enormous expectations, but Salima insists India are approaching the challenge with the right mindset. She identified handling pressure, not avoiding it, as the team's biggest challenge. "Every World Cup has a different challenge because you are competing against some of the best teams in the world."

Rather than allowing expectations to become a burden, the Indian captain wants the players to embrace the occasion. "We believe in taking pressure positively. We have prepared well, and now it is about trusting ourselves and sticking to our plans."

The confidence stems from months of preparation and the momentum generated by winning the Nations Cup, a campaign that reinforced the team's belief that they can compete with elite opposition.

India's opening match against China is expected to be one of the defining fixtures of Pool D. China remains one of Asia's strongest teams, and Salima knows the importance of making a positive start. However, she is determined that India should focus on its own strengths rather than become preoccupied with the opposition.

"We are ready for the challenge. We know what happened the last time we played them, but this is a new tournament and a fresh opportunity for us." Her message to the players before the opening game will centre around confidence and fighting spirit.

"We should not change our game because of the opposition. Instead, we want to play our own style of hockey and make them play according to us." She also stressed the importance of maintaining intensity until the final whistle. "Our fighting spirit should be visible from the first whistle to the last."

One of Salima's key responsibilities as captain has been helping India's younger players prepare mentally for the World Cup. Her advice has been straightforward: trust the work that has already been done. "I have told them to trust all the hard work they have put in because they have earned their place in this team."

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She encouraged them not to place unnecessary pressure on themselves simply because of the tournament's stature.

"Mistakes are part of the game, and every player makes mistakes, including the senior members of the squad. What matters is having the right mindset, staying confident and playing to your strengths."

The emphasis, she says, is on enjoying the occasion while expressing themselves freely on the field.

Despite the tactical planning and technical preparation, Salima believes the team's greatest motivation remains the honour of representing the country. "Every time we wear the Indian jersey, we step onto the field knowing that we are playing for the country; that gives us immense pride." She also credited the coaching staff, led by Sjoerd Marijne, for maintaining a positive environment throughout the preparation period.

"The coaches always tell us to believe in ourselves and play the hockey we know. They have confidence in our abilities, and that confidence gives us the motivation to perform at our best."

With momentum from the Nations Cup, a balanced squad blending youth and experience, and a captain determined to inspire both on and off the field, India head into the 2026 FIH Hockey Women's World Cup with genuine belief. For Salima Tete and her team, the goal is no longer just to compete against the world's best—it is to stand among them on the final day of the tournament.