Hockey India has announced a cash award of 50 lakh rupees for the Indian Women’s Hockey Team for their historic fifth-place finish at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026 in Belgium and the Netherlands. India defeated World No. 5 Germany 3-1 in Amstelveen on Thursday. It is India’s best World Cup finish since the team secured fourth place in the inaugural edition in 1974.
Captain Salima Tete’s team lost only one match in the tournament. India held higher-ranked China, England and Australia to draws. The team also recorded a 6-1 win over South Africa. Hockey India President Padma Dilip Tirkey called the result historic. He said the fifth-place finish after 52 years reflects the team’s hard work, resilience and fighting spirit. Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh also praised the team.
He said Salima and her teammates had made the country proud by competing strongly against some of the world’s best teams. He said the award would motivate the players ahead of the Asian Games. FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026 final between the Netherlands and Argentina will take place at Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen tonight.
