Hockey India on Friday announced the 20-member India women’s hockey squad for the Asian Games 2026 before naming its team for next month’s FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup. This move as come as a surprise for Indian hockey fans as they were expecting the Indian squad for World Cup to be announced.
The decision follows months of debate over whether India should prioritise the Asian Games, which offer direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, over the World Cup. Earlier this year, Give Me Hockey examined the implications of that choice. Read: India’s Big Call: Chase World Cup Glory or Secure Olympic Qualification?
While speculation continues about whether India may field two separate men’s teams for the two tournaments, chief coach Sjoerd Marijne has confirmed the women’s core group will remain the same across both.
“We have thought about this process. We have experience from 2018, it was the same. So what I see is one tournament is going to help the other one. The Asian Games is the most important for us as it is a direct qualifier for the Olympics,” he told PTI.
“There is nothing better than playing matches under pressure at the World Cup and use that knowledge in the Asian Games.”
Salima Tete continues as captain after leading India to the FIH Nations Cup title last month with an unbeaten run in New Zealand. Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam are the two goalkeepers, with Savita having recently received the Padma Shri.
Baljeet Kaur and Beauty Dungdung replace Sonam and Annu in the only two changes from the Nations Cup-winning squad. Both bring considerable international experience to a squad preparing for back-to-back major tournaments, with the Asian Games offering direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“This group of players has shown that they have the right form and fitness in recent months. We are confident that this team is ready for the challenge at the Asian Games,” Marijne said in a statement released by Hockey India.
Taeke Taekema joins India coaching staff for Asian Games 2026
Dutch penalty corner specialist Taeke Taekema will be with the squad for both the World Cup and the Asian Games.
Taekema served as assistant coach of China’s women’s team from 2022 to 2024, helping the side win the silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This is going to be Taekema’s second stint with the Indian women hockey team. Back in 2025 under coach Harendra Singh, Taekema, conducted a seven-day camp from February 10 to 16 ahead of India’s FIH Pro League matches in Bhubaneswar, where the team faced England, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. The camp, attended by Deepika, Manisha Chauhan, Sonam, Annu, and a few junior players, focused on refining technique and improving drag-flick accuracy.
Deepika finished as the top scorer at the FIH Nations Cup with six goals, all from penalty corners. Taekema’s arrival adds one of the game’s most accomplished drag-flick specialists to India’s coaching staff ahead of the World Cup and Asian Games.
India’s 20-member squad for the 2026 Asian Games
Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Shilpi Dabas
Midfielders: Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (C), Neha, Deepika Soreng
Forwards: Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Beauty Dungdung
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