IND vs China LIVE Score, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India begin their FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup campaign with a stern examination against Asian champions China at the Wagener Stadion in Amstelveen. Salima Tete’s side arrive with renewed confidence after an unbeaten run to the Nations Cup title, but China represent an altogether tougher challenge. The Chinese defeated India 4-1 in the 2025 Women’s Asia Cup final and have established themselves as one of the leading sides in world hockey. With England and South Africa also drawn in Pool D, there is little room for a slow start. India will know that a strong performance against China could immediately shape their route through a demanding World Cup campaign.
IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India's biggest weapon against China could be their ability to play at speed and attack with freedom. Their recent progress has been built around sharper circle penetration, improved fitness and a better balance between experienced players and youngsters. If Salima Tete can drive the midifiled and India move the ball quickly, they have the tools to disrupt China's structure and create openings.
IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India's playing XI is here.
Playing XI - Savita (GK), Shilpi Dabas, Jyoti, Navneet Kaur, Sushila Chanu, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (C), Neha, Rutuja Pisal, Sakshi Rana, Deepika
Subs - Beauty Dung Dung, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Bichu Devi (GK), Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary
IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: China enter the World Cup firmly established among the elite. Olympic silver medalists at Paris 2024, they followed by winning the 2025 Asia Cup and finishing fourth in both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 FIH Pro League seasons. Ranked among the world's leading teams, Alyson Annan's side arrive with consistency, experience and genuine ambitions of challenging for the title.
IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India enter the World Cup in impressive form, having finished in the top two in each of their last three tournaments. After silver medals at the 2025 Asia Cup and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Salima Tete's side went unbeaten at June's Nations CUp, winning all five matches before defeating New Zealand 2-0 in the final to lift the title.
IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India must finish in Pool D's top two to reach the second phase, where the leading sides from Pool A - potentially the Netherlands and Australia - could await. From there, only the two advance directly to the semi-finals, with no quarter-final. India are outsiders rather than title favourites, but their unbeaten Nations Cup triumph suggests a deep run is certainly within reach.
IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India and China have built a fiercly competitive rivalry in Asian Hockey. China crushed India 4-0 in the 2023 Asian Games semi-final, but India hit back with a 1-0 victory in the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy final. More recently, China regained the upper hand, beating India 4-1 in the 2025 Asia Cup final - adding another edge to their World Cup meeting.
IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: China's best Women's Hockey World Cup campaign came in 2002, when they finished third to claim their only medal in the competition. They have remained regular World Cup participants since, though without returning to the podium. After finishing ninth in 2022, China enter the 2026 edition as Asia Champions and will believe their experience and recent progress can fuel another deep run.
IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India are making their ninth appearance at the Women's Hockey World Cup, but a podium finish has remained elusive. Their best campaign came at the inaugural edition in 1974, when they finished fourth. India have since struggled to match that breakthrough, finishing eighth in 2018 and ninth in 2022. The 2026 tournament offers another opportunity to finally end that long wait for a medal.
IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: China have experience and firepower across the pitch. Captain Ou Zixia remaisn a hugely infleuntial presence, while Peng Yang, Li Hong and Cheng Yang bring more than 500 international capas between them. Up front, Zou Meirong is the major threat after scoring 11 goals at the 2025 Asia Cup, while teenager Luo Yaxi adds pace and unpredictability to China's attack.
IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: Captain Salima Tete will be central to India's midfield, while the experience of Savita in goal and Sushila Chanu in defence could be vital against China's pressure. Up front, India will look to Navneet Kaur and Lalremsiami for movement and finishing, with young Deepika offering a major attacking and penalty-corner threat. Neha and Nikki Pradhan provide further control and experience through midfield.
IND vs China LIVE Score, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India enter this World Cup trying to write a very different story from their recent campaigns. Their best-ever finish remains fourth place in the inaugural edition in 1974, a mark that has stood for more than five decades. Under returning coach Sjoerd Marijne, the immediate target is to reach the second stage, but a squad featuring 11 World Cup debutants will hope to push much further.
