The US team will enter the tournament as the reigning world champions.
The International Ice Hockey Federation has released a ranking of the teams competing in this year’s World Championship. The list has been published on the organisation’s official website.
Last year, in the final, the American team defeated Switzerland 1-0 in overtime. Following this, the US ice hockey team went on to win the 2026 Olympic Games, beating the Canadian national team in the final.
The Canadian team nevertheless tops the rankings of national ice hockey teams. Last year’s World Championship finalists, Switzerland, came second, whilst the reigning world and Olympic champions, the USA, took fifth place.
IIHF World Ranking
- Canada
- Switzerland
- Finland
- Sweden
- USA
- Czech Republic
- Germany
- Slovakia
- Latvia
- Denmark
- Austria
- Norway
- Hungary
- Slovenia
- Great Britain
- Italy
The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championship will take place from 15 to 31 May in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.
2026 Ice Hockey World Championship schedule – group stage
- Friday, 15 May, 17:20. Finland v Germany
- Friday, 15 May, 21:20. USA v Switzerland
- Saturday, 16 May, 17:20. Italy v Canada
- Saturday, 16 May, 21:20. Slovenia v Czech Republic
- Sunday, 17 May, 13:20. Italy v Slovakia
- Sunday, 17 May, 17:20. Austria v Hungary
- Sunday, 17 May, 21:20. Germany v Latvia
- Monday, 18 May, 17:20. Canada v Denmark
- Monday, 18 May, 21:20. Germany v Switzerland
- Tuesday, 19 May, 17:20. Latvia v Austria
- Tuesday, 19 May, 21:20. Hungary v Great Britain
- Wednesday, 20 May, 17:20. Austria v Switzerland
- Wednesday, 20 May, 21:20. USA v Germany
- Thursday, 21 May, 17:20. Latvia v Finland
- Thursday, 21 May, 21:20. Switzerland v Great Britain
- Friday, 22 May, 17:20. Germany v Hungary
- Friday, 22 May, 21:20. Finland v Great Britain
- Saturday, 23 May, 13:20. Denmark v Slovenia
- Saturday, 23 May, 17:20. Switzerland v Hungary
- Saturday, 23 May, 21:20. Austria v Germany
- Sunday, 24 May, 17:20. Great Britain v Latvia
- Sunday, 24 May, 21:20. Finland v Austria
- Monday, 25 May, 17:20. Czech Republic v Norway
- Monday, 25 May, 21:20. Slovenia v Italy
- Tuesday, 26 May, 13:20. Norway v Denmark
- Tuesday, 26 May, 17:20. USA v Austria
- Tuesday, 26 May, 21:20. Switzerland v Finland
- Play-offs
- Thursday, 28 May, 17:20. Quarter-final No. 2
- Thursday, 28 May, 21:20. Quarter-final No. 4
- Saturday, 30 May, 21:00. Semi-final No. 2
- Sunday, 31 May, 16:30. Third-place play-off
- Sunday, 31 May, 21:20. Final
