Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Mar 13: Hosts India are gearing up for their semifinal clash against Italy at the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026 in Hyderabad, Telangana, after finishing atop Pool B with seven points from three matches. India registered two wins and one draw, scoring 10 goals and conceding just 3, securing qualification for the Women’s World Cup 2026 as the highest-ranked fourth-placed team across the two qualifying events.

In other matches on Friday, Uruguay defeated Austria 3–0 in the 5/8th place encounter, with goals from Teresa Viana (21', 44') and captain Manuela Vilar (4'). Meanwhile, Wales beat Korea 2–1, thanks to a brace from captain Elizabeth Bingham (49’, 53’), while Yeongeun Park scored for Korea in the 46th minute.

India opened their campaign with a 4–0 win over Uruguay, followed by a 2–2 draw against Scotland and a convincing 4–1 victory against Wales. Forward Navneet Kaur has been in outstanding form, finishing the pool stage with four goals, including a hat-trick against Wales, making her joint top scorer of the tournament.

Italy, who finished second in Pool A with four points from one win, one draw, and one loss, will look to their key attacker Federica Carta, who has scored three goals so far. India hold a psychological edge heading into the semifinal, having won five of their seven head-to-head encounters against Italy since 2012, with one Italian victory and one draw.

With World Cup qualification secured, India now aim to maintain their momentum and advance to the final by overcoming Italy in Friday’s semifinal clash at the G. M. C. Balayogi Hockey Ground, Gachibowli Hockey Complex.