South Africa’s women’s hockey team have been placed in Pool D for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, where they will face world number four China, world number seven England, and world number nine India in the group stage, with all four Pool D nations to contest their matches at the Wagener Stadium, Amsterdam, Netherlands, announced following the draw on 17 March 2026.
On 1797 points on the FIH rankings, South Africa places 20th in the world, and will face three Pool D opponents who rank among the top ten women’s teams globally.
China are fourth in the world with 3,143 points, while England have moved up two places to sixth (2,658 points) on the back of strong performances in the FIH Pro League and the World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad, where they claimed the gold medal.
India are ninth in the world with 2,414 points, having qualified as runners-up at those same Hyderabad Qualifiers.
Southern Gauteng and Northern Blues Set Up SA Hockey IPT 2026 Final Showdown in Johannesburg
Western Province, Northern Blues, Southern Gauteng and North West Confirm Hockey IPT SF Berths
Tegan Fourie, Charlene Boshoff and Anja Tromp Light Up SA Hockey IPT Day Two
The second day of the SA Hockey Senior IPT A Section arrived with clearer skies…
Western Province Lay Down Marker With Rout of KZN Raiders on SA Hockey IPT Opening Day
Western Province to Defend Women’s Crown As SA Hockey IPT Returns to Johannesburg
Rogail Joseph Claims 400m Hurdles Title among Podium Quests at the Athletics SA Senior Track and Field Champs
South Africa qualified for the FIH Hockey World Cup via the Africa Cup of Nations, confirming their place ahead of the Qualifier process. They are part of a 16-team women’s field that was finalised following two weeks of Qualifier competition held simultaneously across Chile, India, and Egypt in March 2026, during which 14 teams secured their places at the sport’s most prestigious event.
All of South Africa’s Pool D matches will be staged at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam. The FIH describes the venue as iconic, and it carries deep significance in the history of international hockey. Located in the Dutch capital, one of the world’s most storied field hockey nations, the Wagener Stadium also served as the setting for the draw ceremony on 17 March.
Pool A women’s matches will also be played at the Wagener Stadium, while Pool B and Pool C women’s matches are scheduled for the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre. The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the intermediate round, with knockout matches determining the world champion. South
Africa’s group stage campaign will pit them against some of the most highly ranked opposition in the women’s game, providing the opportunity to measure themselves against the best on the global stage.
The Netherlands enter the tournament as defending World Cup champions, having secured their ninth title in 15 editions at the 2022 Women’s Hockey World Cup. The FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 runs from 15 to 30 August 2026, and will be the first edition of the tournament co-hosted across two countries.
The FIH Hockey World Cup Women’s Draw on Tuesday, 17 March 2026
Pool A (In the Netherlands)
Netherlands
Australia
Chile
Japan
Pool B (In Belgium)
Argentina
Germany
USA
Scotland
Pool C (In Belgium)
Belgium
Spain
New Zealand
Ireland
Pool D (In the Netherlands)
China
England
India
South Africa
Main Photo Caption: A file photo of the SA Women ’s Hockey team that beat the visiting Canadian team 3-0 in a five-Test series at the Hoërskool Menlopark in Pretoria, Gauteng, on Saturday, 17 January 2026. South Africa will face a top-10 trio of China, England and India in their Pool D ties at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in the Netherland and Belgium from 15 August, 2026. Photo: Charmaine Botes Visser via Hockey SA
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
