As anticipation builds ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026, the Malaysia women’s national team stands on the brink of a potentially historic milestone. With the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 on the horizon, the upcoming qualifiers represent a first-ever pathway to the World Cup for the Malaysian women, and captain Juliani Mohamad Din is ready to lead the charge in Santiago, Chile.

For Juliani, captaining the team at such a defining moment is both an honour and a responsibility.

“It is a great honour to lead the team in the World Cup Qualifiers,” she said. “We know the challenge will be tough, but my focus is to motivate the team to give their best and represent Malaysia with pride.”

Competing in a high-stakes qualification tournament brings with it a unique mix of excitement and pressure, especially for a squad aiming to break new ground on the global stage. Juliani believes embracing that balance is part of the team’s growth.

“Playing at this level brings excitement and pressure that cannot be bought or easily experienced,” she explained. “Learning to handle it helps us grow as players and creates memories that stay with us beyond our careers.”

While a World Cup debut would be unprecedented for the team, Malaysia’s players are not unfamiliar with elite competition. Past appearances at FIH tournaments and continental events have helped shape the squad’s mindset and approach.

“Those tournaments taught us the importance of discipline, consistency, and making the right decisions under pressure against top teams,” Juliani noted. “Those lessons will be crucial in a tournament like the World Cup Qualifiers.”

When asked what qualification would mean, the captain did not shy away from the emotional significance, while also acknowledging the value of the journey itself.

“Qualifying would be a dream come true,” she said. “But even competing in the qualifiers is already a valuable experience in one of the toughest tournaments in international hockey.”

As the qualifiers draw closer, Malaysia’s women head into the challenge driven by belief, resilience and the ambition to make history, carrying not only their own dreams, but the hopes of Malaysian hockey with them.