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 Argentine women’s team, ranked #2 in the world.

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The Netherlands may be the outright competition favourites, but underestimate Argentina at your peril. Inspired by Luciana Aymar, arguably the greatest female player of all time, Las Leonas became world champions both at the Perth 2002 and Rosario 2010 events, defeating the mighty Dutch in both finals. The respective giants of Pan American and European hockey faced each other in the 2022 gold medal match, with the Oranje getting the better of their great rivals 3-1 to claim a third successive world title. Despite defeat, Argentina had secured their ninth FIH Hockey World Cup medal and will have their sights set on another podium finish this time around.

In June, Argentina claimed their second successive silver medal in the FIH Hockey Pro League, winning eight and losing just three of their 15 matches. While a ten-goal haul from penalty corner ace Agustina Gorzelany played a significant role, telling goal contributions from Brisa Bruggesser, Eugenia Trinchinetti, Julieta Jankunas, Zoe Diaz and dazzling attacker Maria Granatto were also central to that accomplishment. Goalkeeper Cristina Cosentino was a star performer, making countless regular time saves winning three of the four shoot-outs she faced.

Nickname: Las Leonas

How they qualified: 2nd place – 2024-25 FIH Hockey Pro League

Notable honours: 2x FIH Hockey World Cup winners (2002, 2010), 4x FIH Hockey World Cup silver medallists (1974, 1976, 1994, 2022), 3x FIH Hockey World Cup bronze medallists (1978, 2006, 2014), 3x Olympic silver medallists (2000, 2012, 2021), 3x Olympic bronze medallists (2004, 2008, 2024), Hockey World League champions (2015), 7x Champions Trophy winners (2001, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016), 8x Pan-American Games gold medallists (1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2019, 2023), 7x Pan-American Cup winners (2001, 2004, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2022, 2025), FIH Hockey Pro League winners (2021-22), 4x FIH Hockey Pro League runners up (2020-21, 2022-23, 2024-25, 2025-26)

Rank in previous WC editions: 1974 – 2nd, 1976 – 2nd, 1978 – 3rd, 1981 – 6th, 1983 – 9th, 1986 - 2nd, 1990 – 9th, 1994 – 2nd, 1998 – 4th, 2002 – 1st, 2006 – 3rd, 2010 – 1st, 2014 – 3rd, 2018 – 7th, 2022 – 2nd

Head coach: Fernando Ferrara. A former Argentina men’s international who competed at the Olympic Games of Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996. Having taken the reins in July 2021, Ferrara has overseen Las Leonas for over 100 matches and looks set for many more in the years ahead.

Quote: Majo Granatto: “I think the team is in a great place. Not just on the pitch—which comes from the amount of hours, effort, and dedication the team has put into training—but off the pitch as well, which is essential. Today, we are truly a team. Being able to say that gives me pride and the reassurance that things will go great for us over there.

I believe our preparation was spectacular; we did everything in our power to be the best version of ourselves at this World Cup. I’m heading there with that confidence, and I know the team is going to deliver.”

One to watch: Agustina Gorzelany. A feared penalty corner drag-flicker who scored 25 goals across the two most recent FIH Hockey Pro League seasons. Gorzelany also finished top scorer at the Pan American Cup 2025, netting ten goals in five matches as Argentina claimed their seventh title.

FIH team / stats page: click here.

Website: click here

X: @ArgFieldHockey Facebook: ArgFieldHockey Instagram: arg_fieldhockey

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.