Veteran Indian forward Navneet Kaur has credited her teammates and the coaching staff for helping her deliver one of the standout performances at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers held in Hyderabad, Telangana, where she was named the Player of the Tournament.
Navneet played a central role in India’s strong campaign at the qualifiers, finishing as the third-highest goal scorer with four goals and leading the team’s attacking efforts throughout the competition. Her most memorable moment came in India’s commanding 4-1 victory over Wales, where she produced a superb hat-trick, underlining her influence in the forward line.
India eventually finished with the silver medal, losing 0-2 to England in the final, but the result was still enough to secure qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026 later this year. Along the way, the Indian team registered important wins against Uruguay, Wales, and Italy, showcasing a balanced mix of experience and youth.
Reflecting on the overall experience, Navneet highlighted the importance of teamwork and the new environment within the squad, especially under a refreshed coaching setup.
“It was a good experience for us, especially since it was the first time we played in Hyderabad. The ground and support from fans was very good,” Navneet said. “We also had a new coaching setup, so there were many new things for us to learn on the field. Our main focus was to play as a team, understand each other’s strengths and build that connection.”
The tournament carried significant importance for the Indian side, as qualification for the upcoming World Cup was the primary objective.
“From the beginning of the tournament, our first goal was to qualify for the FIH Hockey World Cup,” she explained. “At the same time, finishing as high as possible in the tournament was also important because it gives the team confidence going ahead.”
Navneet’s attacking presence was one of the highlights of India’s campaign. Known for her speed, dribbling ability, and instinctive positioning inside the circle, she repeatedly troubled opposition defences and created scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.
Despite the personal recognition she received, Navneet emphasised that her performances were the result of strong support from the squad and the coaching staff.
“As a senior player, I always feel the responsibility to lead from the front,” she said. “My focus is to bring my strengths onto the field, whether it is creating chances inside the circle or using my dribbling to open up the game.”
“I get a lot of support from my teammates and coaches, and that gives me the confidence to play my natural game. Even if something doesn’t work out, I know I have the freedom to try again.”
The Hyderabad qualifiers also marked an important phase for the Indian team, with several younger players stepping into the senior setup and making significant contributions. According to Navneet, the team environment encouraged these players to perform without pressure.
“It was not just about focusing on young players, but about giving opportunities to players who had earned their place through their performances,” she said. “Some of the youngsters had done very well in the Hero Hockey India League and were selected in the senior group. They had the right attitude, were eager to learn and understood the requirements of the team.”
Navneet added that the coaching staff played an important role in ensuring these young players felt comfortable within the squad.
“The coaches encouraged them to play freely and focus on their strengths, which helped them perform well.”
India’s journey in the qualifiers demonstrated their attacking potential, but the team also recognised areas where improvement will be necessary before the World Cup.
Navneet acknowledged that converting scoring opportunities will be a key focus moving forward.
“If we look at the tournament and even the final, we created enough chances,” she said. “One area we will focus on is converting those chances in the final third.” “Finishing those opportunities will be important going forward. Otherwise, the overall performance and effort from the team was very good.”
The silver medal finish in Hyderabad also provided valuable match experience for the squad, especially with several new combinations being tested under the coaching staff. For Navneet, the tournament served as an important stepping stone toward the bigger challenge ahead the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, which will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands in August.
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India will now begin their preparations with a series of international tours and matches scheduled in the coming months.
“We have a number of tours during the build-up to the FIH Hockey World Cup,” Navneet said. “We will be playing some good matches and we will use these opportunities to improve and be fully ready for the big tournament.”
With experienced players like Navneet Kaur leading the attack and a new generation of players gaining confidence at the international level, the Indian women’s team will hope that the lessons from Hyderabad translate into a stronger performance on the world stage later this year.
