The United States, which defeated Finland 4-3 in overtime in the 2025 gold medal game, hopes to win its third straight IIHF World Junior Championship on home ice.
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / MATT ZAMBONIN
St. Paul has constructed the World’s Largest Hockey Puck – measuring 6.76 metres (22.2 feet) and weighing 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) – to celebrate hosting the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship with Minneapolis. It’s a big achievement, but hockey fans worldwide have other weighty matters on their mind.
Such as, will the 2020s trend of North American World Junior dominance continue?
Perennial favourite Canada won the gold medal in 2020, 2022, and 2023. Yet the U.S. has the momentum right now with titles in 2021, 2024, and 2025.
This time out, will we see an American dynasty, a Canadian revenge, or a brand-new European champion? Let’s take a quick look at the 10 competing national teams in our World Junior preview.
Group A
Germany
In Minnesota, the Germans will play in the top division for the seventh straight year, something they last achieved from 1992 to 1998. Staying up remains the main goal for coach Tobias Abstreiter’s team. It squeaked into ninth place in 2025 with a come-from-behind 4-3 win over Kazakhstan. Still, there is enough depth this year for a potential respectable quarter-final showing.
NHL-drafted forwards like David Lewandowski (Edmonton) and Maxim Schafer (Washington) are stepping up in Canadian major junior hockey. The imposing 18-year-old Kose twins (Timo at forward, Fabio on defence) have turned some heads in their DEL debuts with Frankfurt. While the defence corps is relatively pedestrian, goalie Linus Vieillard brings valuable experience as a 2025 returnee. It’ll be intriguing to see how far this group’s work ethic can take them.
Slovakia
Slovakia only owns two WJC bronze medals (1999, 2015), but has been consistent lately with three straight sixth-place finishes. Realistically, it’s hard to expect much more than that here. Especially since the strong 2023 Slovak NHL draft class – including future NHLers like Dalibor Dvorsky and Samuel Honzek among its eight draftees – has now aged out. This is one of their youngest teams ever.
Such as, will the 2020s trend of North American World Junior dominance continue?
Perennial favourite Canada won the gold medal in 2020, 2022, and 2023. Yet the U.S. has the momentum right now with titles in 2021, 2024, and 2025.
This time out, will we see an American dynasty, a Canadian revenge, or a brand-new European champion? Let’s take a quick look at the 10 competing national teams in our World Junior preview.
Group A
Germany
In Minnesota, the Germans will play in the top division for the seventh straight year, something they last achieved from 1992 to 1998. Staying up remains the main goal for coach Tobias Abstreiter’s team. It squeaked into ninth place in 2025 with a come-from-behind 4-3 win over Kazakhstan. Still, there is enough depth this year for a potential respectable quarter-final showing.
NHL-drafted forwards like David Lewandowski (Edmonton) and Maxim Schafer (Washington) are stepping up in Canadian major junior hockey. The imposing 18-year-old Kose twins (Timo at forward, Fabio on defence) have turned some heads in their DEL debuts with Frankfurt. While the defence corps is relatively pedestrian, goalie Linus Vieillard brings valuable experience as a 2025 returnee. It’ll be intriguing to see how far this group’s work ethic can take them.
Slovakia
Slovakia only owns two WJC bronze medals (1999, 2015), but has been consistent lately with three straight sixth-place finishes. Realistically, it’s hard to expect much more than that here. Especially since the strong 2023 Slovak NHL draft class – including future NHLers like Dalibor Dvorsky and Samuel Honzek among its eight draftees – has now aged out. This is one of their youngest teams ever.
With a younger team than the 2025 squad, how will Slovakia fare at this year's World Juniors?
Slovak hockey is a family affair. Eighteen-year-old forward Adam Nemec, a WJC rookie who is the younger brother of New Jersey blueliner Simon Nemec, and 18-year-old defender Luka Radivojevic, a returnee who is the son of ex-NHLer Branko Radivojevic, are among the skaters to watch. Meanwhile, Michael Pradel, 18, just became the second highest-drafted Slovak goalie ever (75th overall to Detroit in 2025) after Adam Gajan (second round, 35th overall to Chicago in 2023). Goaltending must shine as this group will likely generate limited offence.
Switzerland
Head coach Jan Cadieux’s primary task is to ensure that Switzerland avoids relegation. The Swiss were last sent down with a ninth-place finish in 2008, but they have finished either seventh or eighth (including 2025) at each of the last four World Juniors. There’s little margin for error.
This year’s roster includes some emerging talents. Remarkably, forward Elijah Neuenschwander, 16, is back for his second World Juniors, and his brother Elijah, 19, is back too as a goaltender (fourth round, 104th overall to Anaheim in 2025). Cadieux’s blue line boasts NHL-drafted rearguards in Leon Muggli (Washington), Basile Sanssonens (Vancouver), and Ludvig Johnson (Utah). But offensively, it’ll be tough. The Swiss, who scored just 12 goals in five games last year, will struggle in Group A versus American and Swedish firepower. Their tournament likely hinges on delivering committed defensive efforts in back-to-back games less than 24 hours apart against Germany and Slovakia.
Sweden
The Juniorkronorna always face the weight of history at this tournament. They’ve only won gold twice (1981, 2012) and own more silvers (12) than any other nation. Sweden’s last medal was silver (2024), bracketed by two fourth-place finishes.
Switzerland
Head coach Jan Cadieux’s primary task is to ensure that Switzerland avoids relegation. The Swiss were last sent down with a ninth-place finish in 2008, but they have finished either seventh or eighth (including 2025) at each of the last four World Juniors. There’s little margin for error.
This year’s roster includes some emerging talents. Remarkably, forward Elijah Neuenschwander, 16, is back for his second World Juniors, and his brother Elijah, 19, is back too as a goaltender (fourth round, 104th overall to Anaheim in 2025). Cadieux’s blue line boasts NHL-drafted rearguards in Leon Muggli (Washington), Basile Sanssonens (Vancouver), and Ludvig Johnson (Utah). But offensively, it’ll be tough. The Swiss, who scored just 12 goals in five games last year, will struggle in Group A versus American and Swedish firepower. Their tournament likely hinges on delivering committed defensive efforts in back-to-back games less than 24 hours apart against Germany and Slovakia.
Sweden
The Juniorkronorna always face the weight of history at this tournament. They’ve only won gold twice (1981, 2012) and own more silvers (12) than any other nation. Sweden’s last medal was silver (2024), bracketed by two fourth-place finishes.
Sweden scored 32 goals in seven games in 2025 en route to a fourth-place finish and is hoping to return to the medal column this year.
This year’s edition looks like a quality Swedish squad, but whether it has enough high-end talent to end the current 14-year title drought remains to be seen. At forward, first-round picks Anton Frondell (Chicago) and Victor Eklund (New York Islanders) have the skill and pace to drive offence at this level, and 18-year-old Ivar Stenberg has dazzled in the SHL this season. Defender Sasha Boumedienne (Winnipeg) is another first-rounder expected to lead on the back end. It’s a solid group, but doesn’t feature anyone like Axel Sandin-Pelikka, let alone Rasmus Dahlin. The goaltending duties will likely be split by Allsvenskan netminders Love Harenstam and Herman Liv. A medal is in reach, but the colour is hard to project.
United States
Incontestably, the Grand Casino Arena brings some good vibes. Beyond the resurgent Minnesota Wild, this is the home of the Minnesota Frost, who have won two straight PWHL championships. Now it’s time to see if the U20 Americans – also two-time defending champs – can keep their streak alive.
The requisite firepower is there, epitomized by returning aces James Hagens and Cole Eiserman. Cole Hutson, ever-nifty and intense, will vie to lead all defencemen in scoring at his fourth consecutive IIHF tournament – he achieved that feat at the 2023 and 2024 U18 Worlds and the 2025 World Juniors.
The main question marks are in net. Someone must live up to the towering legacy of Trey Augustine, who kept the U.S. in the medals as the starter at the last three World Juniors. The U.S., which settled for bronze the last two times it hosted (2011, 2018), has never won home-ice gold. A three-peat will be hard, but would be extra-sweet.
Group B
Canada
Canada’s sense of urgency is enormous. With heartbreaking quarter-final losses to the Czechs, the perennial favourites finished fifth in both 2024 and 2025. That marked their worst back-to-back results since Hockey Canada launched its Program of Excellence in 1982. Bringing back no-nonsense head coach Dale Hunter, who guided Canada to the 2020 title, is just one sign of the full-on gold-or-bust mentality this year.
United States
Incontestably, the Grand Casino Arena brings some good vibes. Beyond the resurgent Minnesota Wild, this is the home of the Minnesota Frost, who have won two straight PWHL championships. Now it’s time to see if the U20 Americans – also two-time defending champs – can keep their streak alive.
The requisite firepower is there, epitomized by returning aces James Hagens and Cole Eiserman. Cole Hutson, ever-nifty and intense, will vie to lead all defencemen in scoring at his fourth consecutive IIHF tournament – he achieved that feat at the 2023 and 2024 U18 Worlds and the 2025 World Juniors.
The main question marks are in net. Someone must live up to the towering legacy of Trey Augustine, who kept the U.S. in the medals as the starter at the last three World Juniors. The U.S., which settled for bronze the last two times it hosted (2011, 2018), has never won home-ice gold. A three-peat will be hard, but would be extra-sweet.
Group B
Canada
Canada’s sense of urgency is enormous. With heartbreaking quarter-final losses to the Czechs, the perennial favourites finished fifth in both 2024 and 2025. That marked their worst back-to-back results since Hockey Canada launched its Program of Excellence in 1982. Bringing back no-nonsense head coach Dale Hunter, who guided Canada to the 2020 title, is just one sign of the full-on gold-or-bust mentality this year.
Goaltender Carter George was among Canada's best players at last year's tournament and is eager to help his nation go for gold for the first time since 2023.
The Canadians are deep at all positions. Consider the dynamic goaltending of Carter George and Jack Ivankovic, the physicality and finesse of defenders Kashawn Aitcheson and Zayne Parekh, and the scoring and two-way play of star NCAA forwards Porter Martone and Gavin McKenna. The latter, a strong candidate to go first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, is eager to rebuff his doubters after a slower-than-expected start at Penn State.
Even without newly minted NHL superstars like San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders, this squad looks well-equipped to terminate Canada’s gold-medal drought.
Czechia
No WJC nation has experienced a greater 2020s revival than Czechia. The Czechs won zero medals after 2005’s bronze – until 2023’s silver in Halifax, followed by consecutive bronzes. Loaded with talent mostly playing Canadian major junior hockey, they could extend their medal streak to four in 2026.
If goalies Jakub Milota and Michael Orsulak can pick up where the towering Michael Hrabal left off, that will be a massive plus. Key NHL prospects like Adam Jiricek (St. Louis) – playing his third World Juniors – and Radim Mrtka (Buffalo) bring skill and toughness on the blue line. Watch out for the nifty Adam Benak and Adam Novotny up front, both enjoying impressive OHL rookie seasons. It’ll be interesting to see the kind of tone the Czechs set in their opener versus Canada.
Denmark
It’s not on par with the Danish men’s amazing 2-1 quarter-final win over Canada at the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Herning, but the return of the Danish U20 team to the elite division is a victory in itself. Their last stint at this level was back in 2019. In Vancouver, a Jonas Rondbjerg-captain team bowed out against Kazakhstan in the relegation round.
For the newly promoted Danes, the key preliminary-round matchup in terms of avoiding the horrors of relegation play is versus Latvia on 30 December. For them to stay up this year would be a Cinderella story, even if they come eighth or ninth.
Finland
The Finns defied the experts last year by making the gold medal game and taking a 3-1 lead over the U.S. before falling 4-3 in overtime. A similar storyline is quite plausible this year.
Even without newly minted NHL superstars like San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders, this squad looks well-equipped to terminate Canada’s gold-medal drought.
Czechia
No WJC nation has experienced a greater 2020s revival than Czechia. The Czechs won zero medals after 2005’s bronze – until 2023’s silver in Halifax, followed by consecutive bronzes. Loaded with talent mostly playing Canadian major junior hockey, they could extend their medal streak to four in 2026.
If goalies Jakub Milota and Michael Orsulak can pick up where the towering Michael Hrabal left off, that will be a massive plus. Key NHL prospects like Adam Jiricek (St. Louis) – playing his third World Juniors – and Radim Mrtka (Buffalo) bring skill and toughness on the blue line. Watch out for the nifty Adam Benak and Adam Novotny up front, both enjoying impressive OHL rookie seasons. It’ll be interesting to see the kind of tone the Czechs set in their opener versus Canada.
Denmark
It’s not on par with the Danish men’s amazing 2-1 quarter-final win over Canada at the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Herning, but the return of the Danish U20 team to the elite division is a victory in itself. Their last stint at this level was back in 2019. In Vancouver, a Jonas Rondbjerg-captain team bowed out against Kazakhstan in the relegation round.
For the newly promoted Danes, the key preliminary-round matchup in terms of avoiding the horrors of relegation play is versus Latvia on 30 December. For them to stay up this year would be a Cinderella story, even if they come eighth or ninth.
Finland
The Finns defied the experts last year by making the gold medal game and taking a 3-1 lead over the U.S. before falling 4-3 in overtime. A similar storyline is quite plausible this year.
Returning forward Emil Hemming (#32, right) is an important offensive piece for Finland at the 2026 World Juniors.
That starts with returning number one goalie Petteri Rimpinen, whose 2.34 GAA and 93.3 save percentage earned him directorate and all-star team honours in 2025. In front of him, the solid Finnish blue line ranges from Aron Kiviharju’s puck-moving savvy to Veeti Vaisanen’s reliable two-way game. And while there isn’t an equivalent here to the 2016 gold-medal trio of Jesse Puljujarvi, Sebastian Aho, and Patrik Laine, Suomi should be able to light the red lamp with NHL prospects like Emil Hemming (Dallas) and Julius Miettinen (Seattle) up front. Not medaling again would be a disappointment.
Latvia
No one takes Latvia lightly anymore. The small Baltic nation cracked the quarter-finals at the 2022, 2024, and 2025 World Juniors. Last year, the Latvians opened with an historic 3-2 upset over Canada and finished with a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Sweden. To stay that competitive in 2026, coach Artis Abols must create the right environment for his youthful go-to players to overachieve.
The Latvians usually score about two goals per game. Key forwards like 18-year-old Bruno Osmanis (IF Bjorkloven) and 17-year-old Olivers Murnieks (Saint John Sea Dogs) only tallied one goal and three assists apiece last year, tying them in points behind Latvian scoring leader Eriks Mateiko (five goals). If kids like that can find ways to contribute on a power play that went just 2-for-16 last year (12.5), that would be a nice bonus.
And quality netminding is essential. In 2025, goalie Linards Feldsbergs set a high bar with his 55-save outing versus Canada. Latvia will undoubtedly face similar onslaughts this year against the Canadians, Finns, and Czechs.
Latvia
No one takes Latvia lightly anymore. The small Baltic nation cracked the quarter-finals at the 2022, 2024, and 2025 World Juniors. Last year, the Latvians opened with an historic 3-2 upset over Canada and finished with a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Sweden. To stay that competitive in 2026, coach Artis Abols must create the right environment for his youthful go-to players to overachieve.
The Latvians usually score about two goals per game. Key forwards like 18-year-old Bruno Osmanis (IF Bjorkloven) and 17-year-old Olivers Murnieks (Saint John Sea Dogs) only tallied one goal and three assists apiece last year, tying them in points behind Latvian scoring leader Eriks Mateiko (five goals). If kids like that can find ways to contribute on a power play that went just 2-for-16 last year (12.5), that would be a nice bonus.
And quality netminding is essential. In 2025, goalie Linards Feldsbergs set a high bar with his 55-save outing versus Canada. Latvia will undoubtedly face similar onslaughts this year against the Canadians, Finns, and Czechs.