Hockey India announces ₹50 lakh award after women's team finish fifth at World Cup

Hockey India announced on August 28, 2026 a cash award of ₹50 lakh for the Indian women's hockey team following their 3-1 victory over World No. 5 Germany in the 5th/6th place match at the FIH Hockey World Cup in Amstelveen on August 27, 2026. The payment was announced as recognition of the team's fifth-place finish at the tournament.

Salima Tete’s side recorded what the federation described as India's best World Cup placing since the inaugural edition in 1974, when the team finished fourth. The 3-1 win over Germany in the classification match in Amstelveen completed India’s campaign at the tournament under Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne.

Across the World Cup campaign India suffered just one defeat, held higher-ranked China, England and Australia to draws, and posted a 6-1 victory over South Africa. Those results, together with the victory over Germany, produced the fifth-place finish that Hockey India has rewarded with the announced cash award.

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey paid tribute to the squad in formal remarks, saying, "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 throughout the tournament." He added, "On behalf of Hockey India, I am pleased to announce a cash award of ₹50 lakh for the team as a token of our appreciation, and I hope this inspires the players to keep raising the bar."

The announcement and the team's result were reported on August 29, 2026. Hockey India framed the award as a reward for the players' performance across the World Cup fixtures.

The 3-1 win over Germany concluded India's participation at the FIH Hockey World Cup, leaving the squad with a fifth-place finish and the ₹50 lakh cash award from Hockey India.