Naveen Congratulates Indian Women’s Hockey Team for 1-0 Win Over Italy, Qualifying for FIH Hockey World Cup 2026

Bhubaneswar: BJD President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has congratulated the Indian Women’s Hockey Team for their hard-fought 1–0 victory over the Italy in the semi-final of the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers, securing a place in the final and confirming qualification for the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026.

Congratulating the team, Naveen praised their strong performance and wished them success in the upcoming final.

“Congratulate Indian Women’s Hockey Team on their 1-0 victory over Italy to move into the final of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers and qualifying for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026. Wish the team all the very best for the final match against England”, Naveen wrote on his ‘X’ handle.

India sealed the narrow victory with a decisive drag flick by Manisha Chauhan in the 40th minute during the semi-final match held at the GMC Balayogi Hockey Stadium in Hyderabad.

With the win, India has officially secured its place in the 2026 Hockey World Cup and will now take on the England women’s national field hockey team in the final of the qualifiers tournament.