Historic First as India Sends Men, Women and U20 Teams to IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships

India is set to mark a major breakthrough in its winter sports journey, with the men’s, women’s and U20 ice hockey teams all qualifying to compete in the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships pathway next year.

The announcement by the national federation signals one of the most significant developments yet for the sport in the country, as all three teams have been placed in Division IV of the IIHF World Championship structure . This marks the first time India will feature across three national teams simultaneously in the global championship system governed by the International Ice Hockey Federation .

The IIHF World Championships form the core competitive framework of international ice hockey, where nations progress through divisions based on performance and rankings. India’s entry into this structured global pathway is being seen as a major step forward in its long term sporting ambitions, especially in a discipline where the country has traditionally had limited exposure.

India has been a full member of the International Ice Hockey Federation since 1989. While the teams have previously participated in regional and invitational tournaments, the World Championships represent a far more competitive and structured global platform, reflecting the steady evolution of the sport in the country.

In recent years, ice hockey in India has shown gradual but visible growth, supported by national competitions, improved training infrastructure, and rising participation from northern regions. The National Ice Hockey Championship in Dehradun (2025) further strengthened domestic competition across men’s, women’s and youth categories.

The women’s team has also delivered encouraging results, including a bronze medal at the 2025 IIHF Women’s Asia Cup in the UAE , underlining the growing potential of the programme. The inclusion of the U20 team is expected to build a stronger talent pipeline for the future of Indian ice hockey.

Officials from the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) described the development as a historic milestone and a collective achievement for players, coaches and supporters. The 2027 IIHF World Championship , to be held in Düsseldorf and Mannheim, Germany (May 14-30), will now serve as a key global platform for India to test its growing ambitions.