The Indian Women’s Hockey team created history as they registered their first victory of the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 after thrashing South Africa 6-1 at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Tuesday (August 18) to rise to top spot in Group D with one match remaining in the first round, where they will face England on Thursday (August 20) at the same venue.
The Women in Saffron scored three goals each in both halves of the game, with one goal in the first quarter, two in the second quarter, and three in the third quarter. Chaudhary Ishika (15′), Navneet Kaur (17′), Pukhrambam Sushila Chanu (25′), Deepika (38′), Lalremsiami (44′), and Rana Sakshi (45′) found the back of the net for the Asian Giants.
India Creates History With Biggest-Ever World Cup Win
Today’s result marked India’s biggest victory in the 52-year history of the Women’s World Cup. While they won by a five-goal margin today, they had never previously even had a victory by a margin of four goals before today. The South Asian outfit has won three games in the competition by a gap of three goals, two of which came in the inaugural edition in 1974.
India’s Biggest Women World Cup Victory Margins
| Margin | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| 6-1 | South Africa | Amstelveen | 2026 |
| 4-1 | Spain | Mandelieu | 1974 |
| 3-0 | Mexico | Mandelieu | 1974 |
| 3-0 | Italy | London | 2018 |
India Continue 12-Year Winning Run VS South Africa
Today’s victory marked India’s 11th consecutive victory against South Africa as they extended their winning run over the African team. Since losing to the eight-time African champions in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the two-time Asian champions have won all the matches between the two sides across competitions.
India are aiming to reach the semi-finals of the event for the first time since 1974, when they finished fourth. They are yet to win a medal in the mega event in history.