The Indian women’s hockey team has been rewarded with a Rs 50 lakh cash prize by Hockey India following their remarkable run at the FIH Women’s World Cup 2026, where they finished fifth — their best result in 52 years.
Led by Salima Tete and coached by Sjoerd Marijne, India capped their campaign with a 3-1 victory over world No. 5 Germany in the fifth-place playoff at Amstelveen. The team suffered only one defeat in six matches, holding higher-ranked sides China, England, and Australia to draws, and registering a commanding 6-1 win over South Africa.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey hailed the achievement: “This is a historic result for Indian women’s hockey. To finish fifth at a World Cup after 52 years is a testament to the hard work, resilience and fighting spirit this team has shown.” He announced that each player will receive Rs 2 lakh, while support staff will get Rs 1 lakh each.
The performance is particularly significant given India’s recent struggles, including missing qualification for the Paris Olympics and relegation from the FIH Pro League. The fifth-place finish marks their best campaign since the 1974 inaugural edition, when they finished fourth.
Attention now shifts to the Asian Games, where India — bronze medalists in the previous edition — will aim to build on this momentum and push for a higher podium finish.
