Heartbroken India Women narrowly missed the Semifinals spot for the Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, as Australia just managed to edge them out in a crucial goalless draw. The Hockeyroos have joined the Semifinals spot alongside the hosts and Pool E champions Netherlands, the last three-time champions.
Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026: Second Round – Day 3
Netherlands 4–1 China
Nine-time champions and co-hosts Netherlands have maintained their winning streak in the tournament, as their 4-1 victory over China dashed the latest Asia Cup champions’ semifinal hopes. As India and Australia later finished with a goalless draw, China would need only one point to add to the game, which they could achieve with a draw result.
Freeke Moes (10’), Felice Albers (11’), and Joosje Burg (22’) put the Dutch side a 3-0 ahead before Zhang Ying scored the only Chinese goal in the game in the 24th minute. Marjin Veen helped the hosts to regain the three-goal lead in the 28th minute, which was ultimately recorded as the final score.
Australia 0–0 India
India Women had a heartbreak on Sunday, as they had a goalless draw against Australia in their must-win fixture of the tournament that would guide them to the Semifinals. Both teams failed to break the deadlock in all four quarters.
As Australia, India, and China all finished with two points each at the end of the second round, Australia and India pushed China down to fourth place in Pool E with their better goal differences. While both Australia and India also tied in the goal difference battle, Australia (3 goals) snatched second place to qualify for the Semis with one more second-round goal than India (2 goals).
Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026: Second Round – Day 3 Points Table
Pool E
Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Difference | Points | Qualification |
Netherlands | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 9 | Semifinals |
Australia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -2 | 2 | Semifinals |
India | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -2 | 2 | 5th Place Game |
China | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -3 | 2 | 7th Place Game |
Netherlands and Australia will play Semifinals.
India will play the 5th-place game.
China will play the 7th-place game.
Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026: Classification Round – Day 3 Results and Points Table
Chile 2–3 South Africa
Japan 2–3 England
Pool G
Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Difference | Points | Qualification |
England | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 9 | 9th Place Game |
Japan | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +3 | 4 | 11th Place Game |
South Africa | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -4 | 4 | 13th Place Game |
Chile | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -6 | 0 | 15th Place Game |
England will play the 9th-place game.
Japan will play the 11th-place game.
South Africa will play the 13th-place game.
Chile will play the 15th-place game
