Hyderabad, March 8: Strong contenders England, South Korea, and Scotland kicked off their campaigns with victories in the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026 held in Telangana’s Hyderabad on Sunday.
In the opening match, England secured a remarkable 5-2 win against Italy. Meanwhile, South Korea edged out Austria with a narrow 1-0 victory at the GAA C Balayogi Hockey Ground (Gachibowli Hockey Complex).
For England, Grace Balsdon (12′, 32′), Lottie Bingham (15′), Elizabeth Neal (16′), and Anna Toman (27′) found the back of the net. Italy’s goals came from Ivanna Pesina (19′) and Federica Carta. In the second match, South Korea’s lone scorer was Siona Kim (34′).
In the day’s third match, Scotland began their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Wales at the GMC Balayogi Hockey Ground (Gachibowli Hockey Complex). Amy Costello scored the winning goal for Scotland in the second quarter (20′).
A total of eight teams are participating in the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026, including India, England, Scotland, Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales, and Austria. These teams are competing for three coveted qualification spots for the global showcase.
In Hyderabad, three direct World Cup berths are at stake, with the top three teams in the tournament securing qualification for the 2026 edition.
The upcoming World Cup will feature 16 teams in both men’s and women’s competitions, with nine teams in each category already qualified, setting the stage for a highly competitive qualification phase.
The tournament format divides the field into two pools of four teams each, with the top two from each pool advancing to the semifinals. Winners of both semifinals and the bronze medal match will gain automatic qualification for the World Cup. Additionally, the highest-ranked team finishing fourth will also earn a spot in the tournament.
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