As we count down to the highly anticipated FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026, we take a closer look at the competing men's and women's teams ready to battle for global supremacy. In this special preview series, we profile each nation's journey to the tournament, examining their road to qualification, historic achievements, key players to watch, and the tactical minds leading them into the ultimate hockey showcase. In today’s story we take a look at the German women’s team, ranked #5 in the world.
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One of international hockey's most consistent forces, two-time FIH Hockey World Cup champions Germany are one of only three nations, alongside the Netherlands and Argentina, to have appeared at every edition of the competition.
Germany carried impressive momentum into 2026 following a superb silver-medal finish at the 2025 EuroHockey Championship on home turf in Mönchengladbach. After recovering from a 5-1 pool-stage defeat to the Netherlands, they fought their way back to set up a rematch with the Dutch in the final. Lisa Nolte's third quarter strike halved the deficit to give Germany hope, but the reigning Olympic and world champions held on for a 2-1 victory.
That encouraging European campaign was followed by an improved showing in the 2025-26 FIH Hockey Pro League, where Germany finished fifth, climbing two places from the previous season. They ended the competition in outstanding form, winning seven of their final eight matches against England, Australia, China and Ireland. Their 5-1 triumph over Olympic silver medallists China was particularly impressive, with all five of their goals coming in the final quarter through Lilly Stoffelsma, Jette Fleschütz, Sophia Schwabe, Sara Strauss and Sonja Zimmerman. Zimmerman and Lisa Nolte provide valuable experience within a talented squad captained by Linea Weidemann, who at just 22 has already established herself as one of the world’s finest defenders.
In 2022, Germany narrowly missed out on a medal with a heartbreaking defeat to Australia in the bronze medal match. A goal from Lena Micheel put Die Danas ahead before a late double from Steff Kershaw settled the match in favour of the Hockeyroos.
Nickname: Die Danas
How they qualified: 2nd place – 2023-24 FIH Hockey Pro League
Notable honours: Olympic gold medallists (2004), 2x Olympic silver medallists (1984*, 1992), Olympic bronze medallists (2016), 2x FIH Hockey World Cup champions (1976*, 1981*), 2x European champions (2007, 2013), FIH Hockey Pro League silver medallists (2023-24), 8x European silver medallists (1991, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2019, 2021, 2025), Champions Trophy gold medallists (2006)
*As West Germany
Rank in previous WC editions: 1974 – 3rd, 1976 – 1st, 1978 – 2nd, 1981 – 1st, 1983 – 4th, 1986 – 2nd, 1990 – 8th, 1994 – 4th, 1998 – 3rd, 2002 – 7th, 2006 – 8th, 2010 – 4th, 2014 – 8th, 2018 – 5th, 2022 – 4th
Head coach: Janneke Schopman. A former head coach of the USA women's national team (2017-19) and India (2021-24), Schopman also enjoyed an outstanding playing career, winning Olympic gold with the Netherlands at Beijing 2008. Since taking charge of Germany, she has overseen their last two FIH Hockey Pro League campaigns and guided Die Danas to a silver medal at the 2025 EuroHockey Championship.
Quote: Head Coach, Janneke Schopman: “The nomination for the World Championship was an extremely close decision, as all the players have shown very good development and performance in the Pro League. Our World Championship squad is young and full of energy, and the recent successes in the Pro League reinforce our conviction that we can compete with any opponent worldwide. This tournament will take us another step further in our development!”
One to watch: Lena Micheel. Blessed with exceptional pace and close control, Micheel is an attacking midfielder capable of breaking defensive lines and changing matches in an instant. At the time of writing, the 28-year-old has scored 26 goals in 160 international appearances and collected four EuroHockey Championship medals – silver in 2019, 2021 and 2025, and bronze in 2023.
FIH team / stats page: click here.
Website: www.hockey.de
X: @diedanas Facebook: diedanas Instagram: diedanas
The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 begins on 15 August, with both men’s and women’s teams in action on opening day across the Netherlands and Belgium. For more information on the competition including the competition format, pools and the complete match schedule, click here.
