2026 IIHF World U18 Championships

The 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship will be the 27th such event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams will participate at several levels of competition. These tournaments also serve as qualifications for the 2027 competition.

Source: Wikipedia

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2026 IIHF World U18 Championships

Top Division

2026 IIHF World U18 Championships

The Top Division tournament will be played in Trenčín and Bratislava, Slovakia, from 22 April to 2 May 2026.

Participants

Ten teams will take part in the competition. Denmark will return for the first time since (/wiki/2019IIHFWorldU18Championships). They will replace Switzerland, who were relegated to Division I A for the first time since (/wiki/2006IIHFWorldU18Championships) after finishing last in 2025.

<table><thead><tr><th>Qualification</th><th>Host</th><th>Dates</th><th>Vacancies</th><th>Qualified</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Top nine in 2025</td><td>Allen / Frisco</td><td>April 23 – May 3, 2025</td><td>9</td><td> Canada Sweden United States Slovakia Finland Germany Czechia Latvia Norway</td></tr><tr><td>Promoted from Division I</td><td>Székesfehérvár</td><td>20–26 April 2025</td><td>1</td><td> Denmark</td></tr></tbody></table>

Summary of qualified teams

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Qualification method</th><th>Appearance(s)</th><th>Previous best performance</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Total</td><td>First</td><td>Last</td><td>Streak</td></tr><tr><td> Canada</td><td>First in 2025</td><td>24th</td><td>2002</td><td>2025</td><td>24</td><td>Champions (2003, 2008, 2013, 2021, 2024, 2025)</td></tr><tr><td> Sweden</td><td>Second in 2025</td><td>27th</td><td>1999</td><td>27</td><td>Champions (2019, 2022)</td></tr><tr><td> United States</td><td>Third in 2025</td><td>27</td><td>Champions (Eleven times)</td></tr><tr><td> Slovakia</td><td>Fourth in 2025</td><td>26th</td><td>4</td><td>Runners-up (2003)</td></tr><tr><td> Finland</td><td>Fifth in 2025</td><td>27th</td><td>27</td><td>Champions (1999, 2000, 2016, 2018)</td></tr><tr><td> Germany</td><td>Sixth in 2025</td><td>19th</td><td>2</td><td>Fifth place (2001, 2008)</td></tr><tr><td> Czechia</td><td>Seventh in 2025</td><td>27th</td><td>27</td><td>Runners-up (2014)</td></tr><tr><td> Latvia</td><td>Eighth in 2025</td><td>14th</td><td>2007</td><td>7</td><td>Seventh place (2022)</td></tr><tr><td> Norway</td><td>Ninth in 2025</td><td>11th</td><td>1999</td><td>4</td><td>Ninth place (2001, 2009, 2011, 2023, 2024, 2025)</td></tr><tr><td> Denmark</td><td>Champions of Division I A</td><td>7th</td><td>2004</td><td>2019</td><td>1</td><td>Eighth place (2004)</td></tr></tbody></table>

Preliminary round

All times are local (Central European Summer Time; UTC+2).

Group A

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>Pld</th><th>W</th><th>OTW</th><th>OTL</th><th>L</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th><th>Qualification</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td> Canada</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>Quarterfinals</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td> Slovakia (H)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td> Finland</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td> Latvia</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td> Norway</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>Relegation round</td></tr></tbody></table>

Group B

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>Pld</th><th>W</th><th>OTW</th><th>OTL</th><th>L</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th><th>Qualification</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td> Sweden</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>Quarterfinals</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td> United States</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td> Germany</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td> Czech Republic</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td> Denmark</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>Relegation round</td></tr></tbody></table>

Division I

Group A

The Division I Group A tournament was played in Krynica-Zdrój, Poland from 18 to 24 April 2026.

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>Pld</th><th>W</th><th>OTW</th><th>OTL</th><th>L</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th><th>Promotion or relegation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td> Switzerland</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>Promotion to the 2027 Top Division</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td> Ukraine</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td> Kazakhstan</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td> Slovenia</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td> Hungary</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td> Poland (H)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>Relegation to the 2027 Division I B</td></tr></tbody></table>

Group B

The Division I Group B tournament was played in Tallinn, Estonia from 25 April to 1 May 2026.

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>Pld</th><th>W</th><th>OTW</th><th>OTL</th><th>L</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th><th>Promotion or relegation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td> Austria</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>Promotion to the 2027 Division I A</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td> Lithuania</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td> South Korea</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td> France</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td> Estonia (H)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td> Italy</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>Relegation to the 2027 Division II A</td></tr></tbody></table>

Division II

Group A

The Division II Group A tournament will be played in Târgu Secuiesc, Romania from 18 to 24 April 2026.

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>Pld</th><th>W</th><th>OTW</th><th>OTL</th><th>L</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th><th>Promotion or relegation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td> Japan</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>Promotion to the 2027 Division I B</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td> Great Britain</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td> China</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td> Croatia</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td> Romania (H)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td> Spain</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>Relegation to the 2027 Division II B</td></tr></tbody></table>

Group B

The Division II Group B tournament will be played in Belgrade, Serbia from 5 to 11 April 2026.

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>Pld</th><th>W</th><th>OTW</th><th>OTL</th><th>L</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th><th>Promotion or relegation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td> Netherlands</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>Promotion to the 2027 Division II A</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td> Australia</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td> Chinese Taipei</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td> Belgium</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td> Serbia (H)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td> Mexico</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>Relegation to the 2027 Division III A</td></tr></tbody></table>

Division III

Group A

The Division III Group A tournament was played in Hong Kong, China from 2 to 8 March 2026.

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>Pld</th><th>W</th><th>OTW</th><th>OTL</th><th>L</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th><th>Promotion or relegation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td> Uzbekistan</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>37</td><td>16</td><td>+21</td><td>14</td><td>Promotion to the 2027 Division II B</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td> Hong Kong (H)</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>33</td><td>14</td><td>+19</td><td>12</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td> Israel</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>30</td><td>23</td><td>+7</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td> Turkey</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>29</td><td>25</td><td>+4</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td> Bulgaria</td><td>5</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>15</td><td>32</td><td>−17</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td> New Zealand</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>8</td><td>42</td><td>−34</td><td>0</td><td>Relegation to the 2027 Division III B</td></tr></tbody></table>

Group B

The Division III Group B tournament was played in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina from 13 to 19 February 2026.

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>Pld</th><th>W</th><th>OTW</th><th>OTL</th><th>L</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th><th>Qualification</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td> Iceland</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>19</td><td>6</td><td>+13</td><td>6</td><td>Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td> Bosnia and Herzegovina (H)</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>13</td><td>18</td><td>−5</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td> South Africa</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>12</td><td>11</td><td>+1</td><td>3</td><td>Relegation round</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>Pld</th><th>W</th><th>OTW</th><th>OTL</th><th>L</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th><th>Qualification</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td> Thailand</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>20</td><td>7</td><td>+13</td><td>9</td><td>Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td> Turkmenistan</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>11</td><td>−6</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td> Luxembourg</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>10</td><td>26</td><td>−16</td><td>1</td><td>Relegation round</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>Pld</th><th>W</th><th>OTW</th><th>OTL</th><th>L</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th><th>Promotion or relegation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td> Thailand</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>38</td><td>10</td><td>+28</td><td>14</td><td>Champions / Promoted to the 2027 Division III A</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td> Iceland</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>30</td><td>12</td><td>+18</td><td>10</td><td>Runners-up</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td> Bosnia and Herzegovina</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>19</td><td>27</td><td>−8</td><td>8</td><td>Third place</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td> Turkmenistan</td><td>5</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>6</td><td>29</td><td>−23</td><td>3</td><td>Fourth place</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td> South Africa</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>24</td><td>19</td><td>+5</td><td>6</td><td>Fifth place</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td> Luxembourg</td><td>5</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>18</td><td>38</td><td>−20</td><td>4</td><td>Sixth place, possible relegation</td></tr></tbody></table>