India were crowned Women’s Nations Cup 2025-26 champions after beating hosts New Zealand 2-0 in the final in Auckland on Sunday, completing an unbeaten tournament and sealing promotion to next season’s FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League.
Navneet Kaur struck early to put India ahead in the fourth minute, before Sunelita Toppo doubled the lead in the 15th minute. India then produced what was described as a stellar defensive display to protect the advantage through the remaining three quarters and close out the title match without conceding.
The win marked India’s second Nations Cup title, after lifting the inaugural edition in 2022, and it also ensured their return to the Pro League next season.
How the final was won: early penalty-corner goals, then control
New Zealand enjoyed the majority of possession in the early exchanges as the hosts looked to make inroads, but India created the first meaningful opening. Navneet won a penalty corner and converted it with a thunderous hit in the fourth minute to give India a 1-0 lead.
India’s intensity in transition continued to trouble New Zealand’s defence, and the visitors extended their advantage before the end of the first quarter. From their fifth penalty corner of the opening quarter, Sunelita Toppo deflected a sharp attempt from Deepika to make it 2-0 in the 15th minute.
The second quarter saw India remain disciplined as New Zealand began to grow into the contest in search of a route back. India also had a couple of opportunities to increase the margin, but neither side found the net and the score stayed 2-0 at half-time.
India’s defensive work stood out after the break. In the third quarter, they remained resolute and denied the hosts any clear goal-scoring opportunity. India also forced a mistake from the New Zealand defence with their high intensity, but Navneet’s reverse hit was saved by the goalkeeper.
New Zealand earned a penalty corner early in the fourth quarter, but India goalkeeper Savita made the save from the set-piece to preserve the two-goal cushion. India maintained a tight defensive structure through the closing stages to secure the 2-0 win and clinch the title.
Lalremsiami was named Player of the Match in the final. Over the course of the tournament, Deepika finished as joint-top scorer with six goals, sharing the honours with USA’s Ashley Sessa.
Unbeaten champions and Pro League promotion secured
India’s title run was completed with five wins from five matches. They progressed through Pool A with victories over USA (3-2), Japan (2-1), and Uruguay (3-2), before producing a commanding 6-0 win over Chile in the semi-final. The 2-0 final win over New Zealand ensured they finished the competition unbeaten.
The title also carried a major reward: promotion into next season’s FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League (2026-27), with India returning to the top tier after winning the second-division Nations Cup.
Following the triumph, Hockey India announced cash awards to recognise the achievement, with INR 3 lakh for each player and INR 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.
