India's junior women's hockey team is set to face a challenging path at the upcoming FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup 2025, as the team has been drawn into Pool C alongside Germany, Ireland, and Namibia. The draw, which took place on June 12, 2025, in Santiago, Chile, has set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling tournament.

This edition of the Junior World Cup marks a historic expansion, featuring 24 teams for the first time, a significant increase from the 16-team format of previous years. The teams have been divided into six pools of four, creating a more competitive and dynamic structure. The tournament is scheduled to take place from December 1 to 13, 2025, in Santiago, Chile.

Pool A consists of defending champions Netherlands, Japan, Chile, and Malaysia. Pool B includes Argentina, Belgium, Zimbabwe, and Wales. Pool D features England, South Africa, China, and Austria, while Pool E comprises Australia, Spain, Canada, and Scotland. Pool F will see the United States, Korea, New Zealand, and Uruguay compete against each other.

India's Pool C presents a mix of challenges and opportunities. Germany, the inaugural champions of the tournament in 1989, will be a formidable opponent. Ireland, known for their tactical discipline and structured play, will also pose a tough test. Namibia, making their debut at this level, will be the underdogs of the group, but could present a surprise.

The Indian team has a rich history in the Junior World Cup, with their best performance coming in 2013 when they won the bronze medal in Monchengladbach, Germany. They narrowly missed another podium finish in the 2022 edition, finishing fourth in Potchefstroom, South Africa. While they have yet to win the title, India remains a strong contender in the junior circuit.

In preparation for the Junior World Cup, the Indian team has been actively participating in international tournaments. Recently, the team competed in a Four Nations Tournament in Argentina, where they gained valuable experience playing against Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. Following the tournament in Argentina, the team traveled to Europe for a five-match tour against Belgium, Australia and Netherlands. These matches are crucial for the team to fine-tune their strategies and identify the best players for the World Cup squad.

FIH President Tayyab Ikram expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament, stating, "It's with great pleasure that FIH is going back to Chile for one of its most important events. It will be a great occasion to welcome all the young stars from around the world, who will come to enjoy the sporting moments, perform at their best, and also experience the fantastic hospitality of Chile." He also thanked the Chilean government, stakeholders, and sponsors for their support in organizing the event.

The Junior Women's World Cup was first held in 1989 in Canada. The Netherlands is the most successful team in the tournament's history, with five titles. Argentina and South Korea have each won the title twice, while Germany won it once in 1989.