Hockey India Signs MoU with Government of Telangana to host Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Hyderabad
Hockey India on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Telangana to host the Women’s 2026 Hockey World Cup qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from March 8-14, 2026.
The qualification tournament will feature eight international teams — host India, England, Scotland, Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales, and Austria — competing for a place at the Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026, which will take place from August 15-30, 2026.
At stake in Hyderabad will be three coveted World Cup berths, with the teams finishing first, second, and third in the tournament earning direct qualification for the global showpiece.
The upcoming Hockey World Cup will feature 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams, with nine teams in each category already qualified, setting the stage for an intense and high-quality qualification phase.
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Speaking on the occasion, A. Revanth Reddy, 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 sporting destination. We look forward to welcoming the passionate hockey nations and delivering an exceptional experience for players and fans alike.”
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey expressed confidence in the host, saying, “This MoU marks another significant milestone for Hockey India as we continue to bring top-level 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.”
Published on Jan 12, 2026