All you need to know ahead of Wales Women’s World Cup Qualifiers

Wales’ senior women will mark International Women’s Day by kicking off their World Cup qualification campaign.

Based in Hyderabad, India, the tournament takes place between the 8^th and 14^th March, with Wales getting underway on day one in the third match of the tournament.

How does the tournament work?

One of two women’s tournaments that offer a place at hockey’s main table in the summer, the India tournament is where Wales will be one of eight teams competing for three qualification places.

Split into two groups of four teams, semi-finals, a final, and a third-place play-off will determine those successful sides.

In a classic twist, there is also a bonus qualification spot for the fourth-placed team that’s highest in the world rankings across the two tournaments.

Who will Wales face? 

The ladies will undeniably face a challenging route to the World Cup, with their world ranking of 25^th one of the lowest in the tournament. 

In their pool, they will face known opposition in Scotland and Uruguay, ranked 14th and 19th in the world respectively, as well as hosts India, a top-ten side.  

Having shown fantastic form in recent times, however, the Welsh ladies will certainly display the classic Welsh spirit in their bid to overcome the challenge. 

How did they get there?

That aforementioned fantastic form is why Wales have a chance at reaching the World Cup, having secured EuroHockey Championships II silver last year.

They finished second to claim an historic achievement which saw them gain promotion to the top tier of European competition for the first time in over two decades. 

Defeat to Italy in the final denied them gold, but a 100% record in the group and victory over Austria ensured they’d also battle it out for a place in Belgium and the Netherlands.

“This is exactly where we want to be,” Hoci Cymru Performance Director, Katie Glynn, has stated. “We recognise the scale of the challenge ahead, but it is also a powerful reflection of where Welsh hockey is now, and where we intend to keep pushing.

“These qualification tournaments offer an exciting opportunity for Welsh hockey to step forward on the world stage.  

“We have earned our place on this stage through outstanding performances in Europe, and now have the opportunity to test ourselves again against some of the very best in the world.” 

How can you follow the action?

You’ll be able to catch all the action live through the Watch.Hockey platform by purchasing a pass, while you can also keep up to date with Wales’ progress via Hoci Cymru’s social channels.