About the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup
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With less than a week to go before the seventh edition of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup takes place in Poreč, Croatia, let’s dive into the event and USA’s path to competing.
Qualification Process
Teams qualified to compete in the FIH Indoor Hockey World through continental championships.
Indoor Pan American Cup:
Men - Argentina, Trinidad & Tobago
Women - USA
EuroHockey Championship:
Men - Austria, Belgium, Germany, Poland
Women - Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Poland
Asia Cup:
Men - Iran, Malaysia
Women - Thailand
Africa Cup:
Men - Namibia, South Africa
Women - Namibia, South Africa
Oceania World Cup:
Men - Australia
Women - Australia, New Zealand
The host nation of Croatia received an automatic qualification.
Format
As a six-a-side indoor competition made up of 24 teams (12 men's and 12 women's), the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup is an intense, action-packed and utterly thrilling spectacle for everyone lucky enough to witness it.
Pools
Men’s
Pool A: Austria, Croatia, Poland, South Africa
Pool B: Argentina, Germany, Iran, Malaysia
Pool C: Australia, Belgium, Namibia, Trinidad & Tobago
Women’s
Pool A: Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, USA
Pool B: Austria, Poland, Thailand, South Africa
Pool C: Australia Germany, Namibia, New Zealand
The top eight teams from across the three pools will qualify for the quarterfinals, while the remaining teams will play in the 9-12 position playoffs.
All Time Stats#
Matches Played
Men: 240
Women: 240
Goals Scored
Men: 1,994
Women: 1,604
Average Number of Goals Per Match
Men: 8.30
Women: 6.68
Number of Nations to Compete
Women: 26
Men: 23
Past Winners #
2023: Netherlands (W) & Austria (M)
2018: Germany (W) & Austria (M)
2015: Netherlands (W) & Netherlands (M)
2011: Germany (W) & Germany (M)
2007: Netherlands (W) & Germany (M)
2003: Germany (W) & Germany (M)
USA History
After a historic performance at the 2017 Indoor Pan American Cup upsetting higher-ranked Argentina, 2-1, in the final, USA qualified to make their first-ever appearance at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup. Held in 2018 in Berlin, Germany, the women finished in 10th place.
The indoor momentum continued to grow, and the women repeated as 2021 Indoor Pan American Cup champions, this time beating Canada 3-0. After a delayed event due to the pandemic, the 2023 FIH Hockey Indoor World Cup took place in Pretoria, South Africa. In a tough pool, the young squad displayed some competitive performances and finished in 9th place.
In March 2024, the women defended their Indoor Pan American Cup title. The match was decided in a shootout after USA and Argentina traded six goals in the second half, finishing regulation deadlocked at 5-5. The shootout saw USA score all three of their chances while Argentina missed one. The red, white and blue punched their FIH Indoor World Cup ticket in thrilling fashion.
The named Indoor USWNT roster is full of experience. This will be Sarah Johnson’s (Lincoln University, Pa.) third edition, while another seven rostered athletes are making their second appearance at this level. Those athletes are Abby Burnett (Zionsville, Pa.), Reese D’Ariano (West Chester, Pa.), Sierra Espeland (Midlothian, Va.), Annika Herbine (Macungie, Pa.), Sydney McGroarty (Mickelton, N.J.), Opal Sparling (Chester Springs, Pa.) and Liz Tamburro (Phoenxville, Pa.). A noteworthy accomplishment is to mention the return of the 2023 IHWC women’s Young Player of the Tournament in D’Ariano, who is just 15 years old.
USA Roster
Charly Bruder | Malvern, PA
Abby Burnett | Zionsville, PA
Reese D’Ariano | West Chester, PA
Sierra Espeland | Midlothian, VA
Sofia Ferri | Phoenixville, PA
Annika Herbine | Macungie, PA
Sarah Johnson | Lincoln University, PA
Sydney Mandato | Telford, PA
Erin Matson | Chadds Ford, PA
Sabrina McGroarty | Mickleton, NJ
Opal Sparling | Chester Springs, PA
Liz Tamburro | Phoenixville, PA
Jun Kentwell | Head Coach
Allyson Fuller | Assistant Coach
Richard Kentwell | Team Manager
Roxanne Smith | Physiotherapist
Joep van de Coelen | Videographer
