The second day of the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifiers delivered thrilling action at the GMC Balayogi Hockey Stadium, where England secured an early semi-final spot while hosts India settled for a draw against Scotland in Pool B.
England seal semi-final spot
Top-ranked side England women’s national field hockey team continued their dominant run in Pool A with a 3–0 win over South Korea women’s national field hockey team. The victory secured England a place in the semi-finals after two wins from two matches.
England struggled to score in the opening quarter despite creating chances. The breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Lily Walker converted a penalty stroke.
The English side extended its lead in the third quarter. Elizabeth Neal scored from a penalty corner in the 38th minute. Defender Grace Balsdon added another in the 44th minute, marking her 100th international appearance.
England dominated the statistics throughout the match. They earned 10 penalty corners and recorded 25 circle penetrations. Flora Peel was named Player of the Match.
Italy bounces back with a convincing win
Earlier in Pool A, Italy women’s national field hockey team recovered from their opening defeat to beat Austria women’s national field hockey team 3–0.
After a goalless first quarter, Federica Carta opened the scoring from a penalty corner in the 19th minute. Lola Brea doubled Italy’s advantage two minutes later with a field goal before setting up Eleonora Di Paola for the third goal in the 45th minute.
Brea’s influential performance earned her the Player of the Match award as Italy kept their qualification hopes alive.
Uruguay edge Wales in a close contest
In Pool B, the Uruguay women’s national field hockey team kept their semi-final chances intact with a narrow 3–2 win over the Wales women’s national field hockey team.
Wales struck first in the 5th minute through Anja Atkin. Uruguay equalised just before halftime when captain Manuela Vilar converted a penalty corner.
The South American side took control in the third quarter as Agustina Diaz and Teresa Viana scored within five minutes to make it 3–1. Wales mounted a late comeback through Rachel Goodwin, but Uruguay held on for victory. Vilar was named Player of the Match.
India held to a draw by Scotland
Scotland women’s national field hockey team held hosts India women’s national field hockey team to a 2–2 draw in an intense Pool B clash.
Scotland took an early lead through a penalty-corner strike from Heather McEwan in the 6th minute. India responded in the second quarter when Navneet Kaur equalised following a scramble in the circle.
The hosts went ahead just before halftime as Sunelita Toppo converted a penalty corner. However, Scotland restored parity early in the third quarter through Fiona Burnet.
Despite several chances for both teams, the score remained unchanged, leaving India and Scotland tied on four points each after two matches, with India ahead on goal difference. Navneet Kaur was named Player of the Match.
Day 2 results
- Italy 3 – 0 Austria
- Korea 0 – 3 England
- Uruguay 3 – 2 Wales
- Scotland 2 – 2 India
With England already through to the semi-finals and Pool B still wide open, the remaining group matches promise intense competition as teams continue their quest for qualification to the Women’s Hockey World Cup.
