Bengaluru, March 18 -- Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne on Wednesday described Pool D of the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026 as "very competitive and balanced" after the Indian women's hockey team was drawn alongside England, China, and South Africa.
The Indian team, which recently confirmed qualification for the marquee event, will face a tough challenge in the group stage scheduled to be held in August. China, currently ranked World No. 4, lead the pool, followed by England at sixth, while India and South Africa are placed ninth and nineteenth respectively.
Acknowledging the varied strengths of the opposition, Marijne said the group presents a mix of experience and unpredictability.
"This is a very competitive and ba...