2026 IIHF World Championship

2026 IIHF World Championship
Tournament details
Host country	Switzerland
Venues	2 (in 2 host cities)
Dates	15–31 May
Teams	16
Tournament statistics
Games played	40
Goals scored	233 (5.83 per game)
Attendance	282,798 (7,070 per game)
Scoring leader	Sven Andrighetto (13 points)
	← 2025 2027 → ; All statistics correct as of 23 May 2026.

The 2026 IIHF World Championship is being hosted by Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland from 15 to 31 May 2026, as the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced on 27 May 2022 in Tampere, Finland.

Host nation bid

The only bidders were Kazakhstan and Switzerland.

Switzerland was originally slated to host in 2020 but the tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, while Kazakhstan has not hosted any tournaments.

In the end, on 27 May 2022, IIHF Congress awarded Switzerland rights to host the competition.^[1] No votes were needed, due to Kazakhstan's bid withdrawal earlier.

Venues

Zürich	Zürich Fribourg	Fribourg
Swiss Life Arena		BCF Arena
Capacity: 10,000		Capacity: 7,500

Participants

Sixteen teams are taking part in the competition for the 28th time. France and Kazakhstan, after taking part in the top division for three and four years respectively, were relegated to Division I after finishing last in their groups at the 2025 edition. They will be replaced by Division I champions Great Britain, who secured their immediate promotion back to the top division, and runners-up, Italy, who secured their promotion back to the top division after last appearing in 2022.

Qualification	Host	Dates	Vacancies	Qualified
Top fourteen in 2025	Herning / Stockholm	9–25 May 2025	14	United States Switzerland (H) Sweden Denmark Canada Czechia Finland Austria Germany Slovakia Latvia Norway Slovenia Hungary
Promoted from Division I	Sfântu Gheorghe	27 April – 3 May 2025	2	Great Britain Italy

Summary of qualified teams

Team	Qualification method	Appearance(s)				Previous best performance^[A]	WR
Team	Qualification method	Total^[B]	First^[B]	Last^[B]	Streak^[B]	Previous best performance^[A]	WR
United States	First in 2025	77th	1920	2025	40	Champions (1933, 1960, 2025)	1
Switzerland	Second in 2025	58th	1920		28	Runners-up (1935, 2013, 2018, 2024, 2025)	2
Sweden	Third in 2025	84th	1920		76	Champions (11 times)^[C]	4
Denmark	Fourth in 2025	24th	1949		23	Fourth place (2025)	8
Canada	Fifth in 2025	79th	1920		46	Champions (28 times)^[D]	3
Czechia	Sixth in 2025	33rd	1993		33	Champions (1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2010, 2024)	5
Finland	Seventh in 2025	72nd	1939		66	Champions (1995, 2011, 2019, 2022)	6
Austria	Eighth in 2025	38th	1928		5	Third place (1931, 1947)	11
Germany	Ninth in 2025	70th	1928		19	Runners-up (1930, 1953, 2023)	7
Latvia	Tenth in 2025	34th	1933		29	Third place (2023)	10
Slovakia	Eleventh in 2025	30th	1996		30	Champions (2002)	9
Norway	Twelfth in 2025	41st	1937		20	Fourth place (1951)	12
Slovenia	Thirteenth in 2025	12th	2002		2	Thirteenth place (2002, 2005, 2025)	15
Hungary	Fourteenth in 2025	15th	1928		2	Fifth place (1937)	16
Italy	Top two in Division I	33rd	1930	2022	1	Fourth place (1953)	18
Great Britain	Top two in Division I	20th	1924	2024	1	Champions (1936)	17

Seeding

The seedings in the preliminary round was based on the 2025 IIHF World Ranking, at the end of the 2025 IIHF World Championship,^[2] using the serpentine system while allowing the organizers, "to allocate a maximum of two teams to separate groups".^[3]

Group A (Zurich)

United States (2)
Switzerland (3)
Finland (7)
Germany (8)
Latvia (11)
Austria (12)
Hungary (18)
Great Britain (19)

Group B (Fribourg)

Canada (4)
Sweden (5)
Czechia (6)
Denmark (9)
Slovakia (10)
Norway (13)
Slovenia (17)
Italy (20)

Marketing

Mascot

The mascot of the tournament is a Swiss cow called Cooly.^[4] Cooly was originally the mascot of the 2009 IIHF Men's World Championship, the last men's world championship to have been hosted in Switzerland, and has since been the mascot of other sporting events in Switzerland, including the 2014 European Athletic Championships.^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]

Slogan

The slogan of the tournament is "Time to Shine".^[8]

Official song

"Time to Shine" by Swiss musician Bastian Baker was released on 6 October 2025 as the official song of the 2026 IIHF World Championship.^[9] Baker is an ice hockey fan and a former player from Lausanne.^[9]

Match officials

16 referees and linespersons were announced on 17 April 2026.^[10]

Referees	Linesmen
Christian Ofner Taylor Burzminski Jesse Gour Jiří Ondráček Riku Brander Mikko Kaukokari Lukas Kohlmüller André Schrader Marcus Wannerstedt Tomáš Hronský Tobias Björk Christoffer Holm Cedric Borga Michael Tscherrig Nolan Bloyer Sean MacFarlane	Brian Birkhoff Mitchell Gibbs Jiří Ondráček Lukáš Rampir Onni Hautamäki Tommi Niittylä Patrick Laguzov Danny Beresford Renārs Davidonis Njaal Søstumoen Oto Durmis Gustav Jonsson Anders Nyqvist Dominic Schlegel Shane Gustafson John Rey

Rosters

Each team's roster consisted of at least 15 skaters (forwards and defencemen) and two goaltenders, and at most 22 skaters and three goaltenders. All 16 participating nations, through the confirmation of their respective national associations, had to submit a "Long List" no later than two weeks before the tournament, and a final roster by the Passport Control meeting prior to the start of the tournament.

Preliminary round

The groups were announced on 4 June 2025,^[11] with the schedule being revealed on 19 August 2025.^[12]

Group A

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	OTW	OTL	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Switzerland (H, A)	6	6	0	0	0	35	5	+30	18	Quarterfinals
2	Finland (A)	5	5	0	0	0	24	5	+19	15
3	Austria	5	3	0	0	2	14	20	−6	9
4	Germany (Z)	6	2	0	1	3	17	19	−2	7
5	Latvia	5	2	0	0	3	10	16	−6	6	Qualified for the 2027 IIHF World Championship
6	United States	5	1	1	0	3	14	17	−3	5
7	Hungary	5	1	0	0	4	10	23	−13	3
8	Great Britain (Y)	5	0	0	0	5	4	23	−19	0	Relegated to the 2027 Division I A

Updated to match(es) played on 23 May 2026. Source: IIHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) result against closest best-ranked team outside tied teams; 6) result against second-best-ranked team outside tied teams; 7) seeding before tournament
(A) Advances to a further round; (H) Host; (Y) Can not qualify for quarterfinals; (Z) Germany cannot be relegated as the host of the next event


15 May 2026
Finland	3–1	Germany
United States	1–3	Switzerland
16 May 2026
Great Britain	2–5	Austria
Hungary	1–4	Finland
Switzerland	4–2	Latvia
17 May 2026
Great Britain	1–5	United States
Austria	4–2	Hungary
Germany	0–2	Latvia
18 May 2026
Finland	6–2	United States
Germany	1–6	Switzerland
19 May 2026
Latvia	1–3	Austria
Hungary	5–0	Great Britain
20 May 2026
Austria	0–9	Switzerland
United States	4–3 (GWS)	Germany
21 May 2026
Latvia	1–7	Finland
Switzerland	4–1	Great Britain
22 May 2026
Germany	6–2	Hungary
Finland	4–0	Great Britain
23 May 2026
Latvia	4–2	United States
Switzerland	9–0	Hungary
Austria	2–6	Germany
24 May 2026
Great Britain	v	Latvia
Finland	v	Austria
25 May 2026
United States	v	Hungary
Germany	v	Great Britain
26 May 2026
Hungary	v	Latvia
United States	v	Austria
Switzerland	v	Finland

Group B

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	OTW	OTL	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Canada (A)	5	4	1	0	0	25	10	+15	14	Quarterfinals
2	Czechia (A)	5	4	0	1	0	16	10	+6	13
3	Slovakia	5	3	1	0	1	18	10	+8	11
4	Norway	5	3	0	1	1	17	10	+7	10
5	Sweden	6	3	0	0	3	23	14	+9	9	Qualified for the 2027 IIHF World Championship
6	Denmark (Y)	5	1	0	0	4	9	20	−11	3
7	Slovenia (Y)	6	0	1	1	4	8	24	−16	3
8	Italy (Y)	5	0	0	0	5	2	20	−18	0	Relegated to the 2027 Division I A

Updated to match(es) played on 23 May 2026. Source: IIHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) result against closest best-ranked team outside tied teams; 6) result against second-best-ranked team outside tied teams; 7) seeding before tournament
(A) Advances to a further round; (Y) Can not qualify for quarterfinals


15 May 2026
Canada	5–3	Sweden
Czechia	4–1	Denmark
16 May 2026
Slovakia	2–1	Norway
Italy	0–6	Canada
Slovenia	3–2 (OT)	Czechia
17 May 2026
Italy	1–4	Slovakia
Denmark	2–6	Sweden
Norway	4–0	Slovenia
18 May 2026
Canada	5–1	Denmark
Sweden	3–4	Czechia
19 May 2026
Italy	0–4	Norway
Slovenia	4–5 (GWS)	Slovakia
20 May 2026
Czechia	3–1	Italy
Sweden	6–0	Slovenia
21 May 2026
Canada	6–5 (OT)	Norway
Denmark	1–5	Slovakia
22 May 2026
Canada	3–1	Slovenia
Sweden	3–0	Italy
23 May 2026
Denmark	4–0	Slovenia
Slovakia	2–3	Czechia
Norway	3–2	Sweden
24 May 2026
Denmark	v	Italy
Slovakia	v	Canada
25 May 2026
Czechia	v	Norway
Slovenia	v	Italy
26 May 2026
Norway	v	Denmark
Sweden	v	Slovakia
Czechia	v	Canada

Playoff round

There will be a re-seeding after the quarterfinals.^[13]

Quarter-finals	Semi-finals	Final

28 May

1A
	30 May
4B

28 May

1B
		31 May
4A

28 May

2A
	30 May
3B

28 May
		Third place
2B
		31 May
3A

Final

31 May 2026
20:20

WSF1

v

WSF2

Swiss Life Arena, Zürich

Final standings

Teams finishing fifth in the preliminary round were ranked ninth and tenth, teams finishing sixth were ranked 11th and 12th, and so on.^[14]

Pos	Team	Pld	W	OTW	OTL	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Final Result
1	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Champions
2	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Runners-up
3	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Third place
4	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Fourth place

5	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Eliminated in Quarterfinals
6	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

9	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Eliminated in Preliminary round
10	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
13	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

15	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegated to the 2027 IIHF World Championship Division I
16	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegated to the 2027 IIHF World Championship Division I

First match(es) will be played: 15 May 2026. Source: ^{[citation needed]}
Rules for classification: 1) position in the group; 2) number of points; 3) goal difference; 4) goals scored; 5) seeding before tournament.

Statistics

Scoring leaders

As of 23 May 2026

List shows the top skaters sorted by points, then goals.

Player	GP	G	A	Pts	+/−	PIM	POS
Sven Andrighetto	6	4	9	13	+9	4	F
Lucas Raymond	6	5	5	10	+2	0	F
Denis Malgin	6	3	7	10	+9	2	F
Timo Meier	6	3	6	9	+7	4	F
Mikkel Aagaard	5	4	4	8	–2	0	F
Nico Hischier	6	4	4	8	+8	0	F
Roman Josi	6	4	4	8	+12	4	D
Lukas Reichel	5	4	3	7	0	0	F
Ivar Stenberg	6	3	4	7	0	6	F
Macklin Celebrini	5	2	5	7	+7	0	F

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalties in Minutes; POS = Position
Source: IIHF.com

Goaltending leaders

As of 23 May 2026

Only the top five goaltenders, based on save percentage, who have played at least 40% of their team's minutes, are included in this list.

Player	TOI	GA	GAA	SA	Sv%	SO
Henrik Haukeland	180:00	2	0.67	75	97.33	2
Leonardo Genoni	240:00	2	0.50	67	97.01	2
Joonas Korpisalo	120:00	1	0.50	19	94.74	1
Damian Clara	119:08	5	2.52	91	94.51	0
Justus Annunen	180:00	4	1.33	65	93.85	0

TOI = time on ice (minutes:seconds); SA = shots against; GA = goals against; GAA = goals against average; Sv% = save percentage; SO = shutouts
Source: IIHF.com

Notes

^ Bold text indicates they hosted that edition.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d In top division. Results in tiers below are excluded.
^ Sweden have won in 1953, 1957, 1962, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1998, 2006, 2013, 2017 and 2018.
^ Canada have won in 1920, 1924, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1955, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1994, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2023.

References

^ "IIHF – To Tampere/Riga in '23, to Switzerland in '26". IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
^ "IIHF World Rankings; Probable Groups For 2026". thehockeynews.com. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
^ "IIHF Sport Regulations (pgs4,5)" (PDF). iihf.com. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
^ ^a ^b "IIHF – Mascot". IIHF.com. International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
^ "Cooly the cow: Bringing events to life through iconic mascots". infront.sport. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
^ "Is Cooly Cow the best mascot ever?". BBC Newsround. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
^ "Five mascots that made history". swissinfo.ch. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
^ "IIHF – A report from the IIHF Congress". IIHF.com. International Ice Hockey Federation. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
^ ^a ^b "IIHF – TIME TO SHINE – the official song for the 2026 IIHF WM". IIHF.com. International Ice Hockey Federation. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
^ "World Championship officials announced". IIHF. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
^ "Groups for the 2026 IIHF WM announced". iihf.com. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
^ "The Game Schedule for the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship is here!". iihf.com. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
^ "Tournament Format". iihf.com. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
^ "Tournament Format". IIHF. Retrieved 17 May 2026.

External links

Official website

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[2] Bold text indicates they hosted that edition.

[Div-3] In top division. Results in tiers below are excluded.

[4] Sweden have won in 1953, 1957, 1962, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1998, 2006, 2013, 2017 and 2018.

[5] Canada have won in 1920, 1924, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1955, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1994, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2023.

[1] "IIHF – To Tampere/Riga in '23, to Switzerland in '26". IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 27 May 2022.

[6] "IIHF World Rankings; Probable Groups For 2026". thehockeynews.com. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.

[7] "IIHF Sport Regulations (pgs4,5)" (PDF). iihf.com. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2025.

[:0-8] "IIHF – Mascot". IIHF.com. International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 28 April 2026.

[9] "Cooly the cow: Bringing events to life through iconic mascots". infront.sport. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2026.

[10] "Is Cooly Cow the best mascot ever?". BBC Newsround. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2026.

[11] "Five mascots that made history". swissinfo.ch. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2026.

[12] "IIHF – A report from the IIHF Congress". IIHF.com. International Ice Hockey Federation. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2026.

[:1-13] "IIHF – TIME TO SHINE – the official song for the 2026 IIHF WM". IIHF.com. International Ice Hockey Federation. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2026.

[14] "World Championship officials announced". IIHF. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2026.

[15] "Groups for the 2026 IIHF WM announced". iihf.com. Retrieved 4 June 2025.

[16] "The Game Schedule for the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship is here!". iihf.com. Retrieved 19 August 2025.

[TournamentFormat-17] "Tournament Format". iihf.com. Retrieved 5 May 2026.

[18] "Tournament Format". IIHF. Retrieved 17 May 2026.

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