Explained: How Can India Qualify For Women's Hockey World Cup SF During Sunday's Clash vs Australia

The Indian Women's Hockey team will play Australia in the 2026 Women's World Cup on Sunday (August 23) at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen as they aim to reach the semifinals of the competition for the first time since 1974. The Women in Saffron are coming into the game on the back of a 2-0 defeat to hosts Netherlands in their opening game of the second round.

The Sjoerd Marijne-managed side exceeded expectations in the group stage as they finished second behind two higher-ranked teams and stayed unbeaten. They played a 2-2 draw against group toppers China before thrashing China South Africa 6-1 to register their biggest win in the competition. In the last game, they held England to a 0-0 and ensured the European giatns were knocked out of the tournament.

Coming into the final matchday of the second round, the Netherlands have four points, while China are second with two points. Australia and India are tied for third and fourth with one point each, with the former ahead based on scoring more goals.

The hopes of India and Australia are both dependent on the result of the game between China and the Netherlands, which will be played before these two teams take the field. If China win that fixture, both teams will be knocked out but a draw will be keep both sides alive.

If the hosts manage to win their fixture, the winner of the India and Australia clash will qualify for the knockout stages. Australia can qualify with a draw if China loses by two or more goals. However, a draw will not be enough for India, as they are behind the Aussies on goals scored despite having the same goal difference.

Meanwhile,, if China and the Netherlands play a draw, India and Australia both can only qualify with a win.

Aayush Kataria is a Senior Copy Editor at Times Network with four years of experience, having started his career in the organisation. He is a key memb... View More