The Indian women’s hockey team ended its FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign with a great win after beating Germany 3-1 in the fifth-sixth place match on Thursday. The win secured India a fifth-place finish which is their best result at the World Cup in 52 years. The match was played at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen where India had also played during the pool stage. The first half was a tight contest, with both teams struggling to create clear chances. Germany had a few opportunities from penalty corners but India’s defence managed to remain solid. India looked a different side after the break. Ishika finally hit the first goal in the 43rd minute finishing with a composed reverse-lift after being played through.

Navneet Kaur then took the game away from Germany. She scored twice within four minutes to put India 3-0 ahead and leave Germany behind. They did manage to get on the scoresheet in the 59th minute when Krings reacted quickest to a rebound. India held on through the final stages of the match. Savita made a couple of important saves as Germany tried to build some late pressure, while the Indian defence was excellent till the final whistle to win the match.

India Women’s FIH 2026 World Cup Campaign 

India opened their campaign against China on August 16 and played out a 2-2 draw. They then produced their most convincing attacking display of the pool stage when they beat South Africa 6-1. The final pool game against England ended in a draw with both teams not scoring . India therefore went through the opening stage unbeaten and carried plenty of confidence into the next round. India came up against defending champions Netherlands and suffered their first defeat as they lost 2-0. The defeat left India needing a strong result against Australia to keep their semifinal hopes alive. It was another tense match but neither side could find a goal. 

The 0-0 draw went Australia's way because of their superior goal-scoring record from the group stage and they qualified. India were left with the fifth-place match against Germany. They put up one of their best performances to clinch the win and finish fifth. India Women's team ended the World Cup with two wins, three draws and one defeat from six matches. They scored 11 goals in the tournament and managed to hold China, England and Australia to draws. The fifth-place finish is a very good result in Indian women's hockey. India had finished fourth at the inaugural Women's Hockey World Cup in 1974, and this result is their best finish since the last five decades