International Ice Hockey Federation Announces Group Formation for the 2026 World Championship Excluding Russia's Participation
Non-Stop Hockey Action at the 2026 World Championship!
Get ready for some mouth-watering ice hockey action as the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has revealed the groups for the upcoming 2026 World Championship! The tournament will take place in Switzerland, with Zurich and Fribourg serving as host cities from May 15 to 31.
Here's a sneak peek into the groups:
- Group A will feature heavyweights such as the USA, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Hungary, and Great Britain.
- Group B will boast powerhouses like Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia, and Italy.
As you know, Russia and Belarus will be absent from the competition due to their suspension from tournaments under the IIHF's auspices. The Russian Ice Hockey Federation (FHR) has announced plans to challenge this decision in court.
Interestingly, the current champions are the USA, who narrowly beat Switzerland in the 2023 final, 1-0. The last time Switzerland hosted the World Hockey Championship was in 2009, with the Russian team emerging victorious.
Previously, the IIHF had confirmed the groups for the 2026 Olympics without Russian participation. In January 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the IIHF's decision to exclude Russian hockey players from the Olympics.
The exclusion follows the footsteps of other international federations, such as the International Luge Federation, who also voted to ban Russian athletes under neutral status for the 2026 Winter Olympics. This decision stems from the ongoing political tensions and sanctions related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
So grab your popcorn and your jerseys, folks! The 2026 World Championship promises to be an unforgettable, high-stakes tournament, with top teams battling it out for the coveted championship trophy. Let the games begin!
Spectators can expect various sports events, particularly hockey matches, to unfold during the 2026 World Championship, showcasing intense competition among international teams. The hockey groups include heavyweights like the USA and Finland in Group A, and powerhouses such as Canada and Sweden in Group B.
