2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship: Group stage takeaways, quarterfinal preview

Nov 12, 2026, 12:00 EST

The group stage of the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship has come and gone. The restructured format certainly brought excitement, though with some criticism. Yet, it still was able to highlight and showcase the best players in the world in Denmark over the past few days.

As teams prepare for the knockout round, let’s take a look back at some of the biggest takeaways from the preliminary stage: which players stood out, which teams underperformed, and which teams are poised for a run towards a medal.

Germany is here to play

It’s almost bonkers to think that Germany, as well as Sweden, were tasked with actually qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Yet that was the case, and Germany, unsurprisingly, was able to punch their ticket to Milan. In Group B in Italy, they did what they were supposed to: finish in second place, and weren’t totally embarrassed by Canada in the quarterfinals.

Fast forward to this past week, where Germany, now playing in Group A in the more traditional Tournament layout, seemed to have its hands full against teams like the United States, Switzerland, and Czechia. However, Trager der Adler was undeterred, backstopped by one of the best European goaltenders in the world, Sandra Abstreiter, and a mixture of both PWHL players and domestic stars, Germany was able to show that the previous format was very passe. Sure, they lost to the U.S., which was going to be a tough game regardless, but Germany proved that they belonged with the best teams in the world, defeating Czechia in a shootout before coming away with a massive victory over Switzerland, surprisingly finishing second in the group.

There were many players who rose to the occasion for the country. Abstreiter was sensational, especially in the victories over Czechia and Switzerland, potentially showing the Hamilton Havoc staff that she deserves a PWHL contract. Laura Kluge was her usual self, driving the offense, even though she scored only a goal and an assist in the opening round. The Welcke sisters, Luisa and Lilli, both came up clutch, with Lilli scoring two big goals, including the shootout winner against the Czechs.

The simple fact that Germany was able to stand above the old Group A standouts in Czechia and Switzerland proved that the decision to change the format of the Women’s Worlds actually paid off. Not only does it give teams like Germany a chance to play against the best teams in the world on a more consistent basis, but it also shows that, when the chips are down, underdogs are going to put up a fight and may surprise some teams.

Damkronoma is damn good

While Germany’s run through the group stage might have been a shocker to some, what Sweden was able to accomplish in Group B wasn’t necessarily surprising to anyone. Sweden certainly made some hay with their run to the semifinals at the Winter Olympics, ultimately losing to the Swiss in the bronze medal game. However, the team continued to grow, and with stars like Hilda Svensson, Thea Johansson, and Sarah Hjalmarsson all back together, a core that has been together for several Women’s Worlds, finally showed that Swedish women’s hockey is back. After losing to Canada in a rather embarrassing fashion in the opening game of the tournament, Damkronama pushed back and almost ran the table, winning their next three games, including a standout victory over rival Finland, finishing second in Group B. Ebba Svensson Traff is no longer a star of tomorrow. The 21-year-old netminder has eclipsed Emma Soderberg as the top netminder on the team with excellence between the pipes.

It’s the first time in almost two decades that we’ve seen Sweden look like a legitimate threat to win a medal at the Women’s Worlds. They enter the quarterfinal stage no longer a perennial underdog, but a team that looks like they can challenge, and will hopefully soon be able to compete with the superpowers of Women’s Hockey.

The kids are alright

Much was made about Canada’s roster when it was released prior to the tournament. While players like Marie-Philip Poulin and Claire Thompson were not able to compete based on injury and retirement, a lot of the usual suspects that had been on the national team roster dating back to COVID were no longer part of the team. No Sarah Nurse, no Emerance Maschmeyer, no Jocelyne Larocque. Instead, young kids, with eight college players, grace the Canadian roster in Denmark. Players like Caitlin Kraemer and Chloe Primerano, and a young 18-year-old named Rosalie Tremblay, all made significant impacts in the first four games for the Red and White.

Trembley has used speed energy, serving as a firecracker for Canada’s offense. Kraemer showed glimpses of the vaunted attack that made her a star at the under-18s, sitting tied for second on the team with five points. Primerano looks like someone who’s going to take the reins as Canada’s top defender very soon, showing her agility and showing her creativity on the offensive end, which only complements her solid play in her own zone.

What certainly was different about Canada was how the team didn’t rely on just two goaltenders in a group stage. Yes, Ann-Renee Desbiens played the two “bigger” games for Canada, picking up wins against Sweden and Finland. However, both Kayle Osborne and Eve Gascon were in the net as well, ensuring that they got some game action in case they were called upon in the knockout stage.

While the true test for Canada will only be seen if they make it to the gold medal game and face the United States, early returns on the youngest Canadian roster since the 2015 World Championships are positive and optimistic for the program’s future.

The host gives the most

Heading into this year’s tournament, there was a lot of concern about the competitiveness from the host nation. While Denmark is hosting the tournament for the second time in five years, many wondered if this year’s team would actually be able to hang with some of the more traditional powers of the tournament. Sure, they they had some struggles facing the likes of Canada and Sweden, but the Danes show that resilience and a little bit of hometown puck luck can go a long way. Denmark picked up a landmark victory for the women’s national team, beating Japan in a shootout, which was enough to keep them out of relegation and push them to the quarterfinals of the Women’s Worlds for the first time. There is some certain talent on the roster. Hamilton Havoc draft pick draft pick Emma-Sofie Nordstrom was exceptional in her couple of is an exceptional young netminder, and despite getting lit up by Sweden, shows that she can steal a game if need.

While it’s going to be tough for Denmark, given the team that they’re going to have to play in the quarterfinals, the simple fact that they made it to the knockout stage is a positive step for a program that’s looking to try to stay in the top division for years to come.

Gut-Czech time

I don’t think there was a more disappointing team through the first six days of this tournament than Czechia. We all thought that their stunning loss to Sweden in the quarterfinals in Milan was just a blip on the radar. Sure, Carla MacLeod stepping down as the national team head coach was a bit of a downer, but it’s not like the team hired an unknown to take over the program, as they brought in former Vancouver Goldeneyes and St. Cloud State head coach Brian Idalski, who brought years of women’s hockey experience to a program that is trying to stay up in the top four of the women’s international rankings.

Yet, Czechia barely squeaked into the knockout round. Their lone win came at the expense of lowly Austria. Losing to Switzerland in overtime was just the first of many problems for the Lionesses. They were also stunned by Germany in a shootout before getting hammered by the Americans in their final game of the opening round.

For a team that had made it to four straight semifinals at the WWC under MacLeod, it seems like Czechia is taking huge steps backwards at the worst possible time for women’s hockey, and what is considered probably the golden age for the program with players like Katerina Mrazova, Teresa Vanizova, Klara Peslarova and Aneta Tejralova. The Czechs seem to be wasting this opportunity, and now will face the daunting task of facing the No. 1 team from Group B, Canada, in their quarterfinal matchup, putting hopes of a medal in doubt for the Czechs.

Quarterfinal matchups

Canada vs. Czechia – 9 a.m. ET
Canada might be looking for a little retribution, as it was Czech forward Kristyna Kaltounkova who injured Poulin at the Olympics in February, leading to her knee injury that required surgery, keeping her out of this tournament. Canada has won all five meetings in international tournaments against Czechia.

Germany vs. Finland – 9 a.m. ET
Germany is seeking its first semifinal berth since 2017, when they lost to Finland in the bronze medal game. Suomi has advanced to the final in all but two of the Women’s Worlds. Finland has never lost to Germany at the WWC.

United States vs. Denmark – 1 p.m. ET
In just their fifth appearance in the top division at the Women’s Worlds, there’s excitement for Denmark after qualifying for the quarters. However, they take on a U.S. team has never missed out on a gold medal game.

Sweden vs. Switzerland – 1 p.m. ET
A rematch from the bronze medal game in Milan, Sweden has all sorts of momentum against a Swiss team that almost lost to Austria. Sweden is 5-1-1 against Switzerland at the WWC.

All QF games will take place on Friday

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