2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship: Team previews, predictions and more
The time has come for an annual battle of women’s hockey supremacy.
This week, the puck will drop on the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship. After an exhilarating tournament at the Winter Olympics last February, everyone will be watching to see how the world’s best players perform in a restructured tournament.
Gone are the tiered groups, where everyone in Group A advances to the quarterfinals. Now, with the snake format similar to the men’s tournaments, the United States and Canada will be on opposite sides of the preliminary stage, though almost everyone expects them to meet in the gold medal game on Nov. 16.
Today, we look at the 10 teams competing in Denmark and where they will finish when it’s all said and done.
Group A
Austria
For the first time ever, Austria has made it to the top division at the Women’s Worlds. Former Canada general manager Gina Kingsbury took over as GM of the team leading into the tournament, giving Austria a unique set of eyes ahead of the historic occasion. However, don’t expect them to have an easy time in a very tough Group A.
The Austrians took home the gold medal of the D1A WWC last year, thanks to players like Anna Meixner and Theresa Schafzahl being key offensive weapons. Schafzahl, currently with the PWHL’s Seattle Torrent, is certainly capable of being the team’s most dangerous player. A gritty winger with a scoring touch, the 26-year-old will need to be at her best if the Lady Eagles possess any offensive power.
Austria’s defense will be heavily outmatched by the U.S. and Czechia, but they have some solid two-way players. EVZ defender Annika Fazokas led all blueliners at the D1A championship with six points last year, and will be flanked by Anna Billa and Laura Nagy, who are currently honing their craft in the NCAA ranks.
In goal, Austria has the Luggin sisters. The elder Selma backstopped Austria to gold last year and has high-end experience playing in the DFEL and SDHL. The younger Magdalena is off to a strong start in her second year at Mercyhurst, making them a contender in Atlantic Hockey America.
Austria plays in the first game of the tournament on Friday against the Czechs.
Czechia
Following a disappointing quarterfinal exit at the Winter Olympics earlier this year, Czechia is heading into Denmark with something to prove. Yet this year’s squad will see a noticeable change. Carla MacLeod stepped down as the program’s head coach, leading to the hiring of former Vancouver Goldeneyes bench boss, Brian Idalski.
The change in philosophies might’ve hindered the team’s performance during the first two legs of the Euro Hockey Tour. Czechia lost five of its six games, narrowly defeating Switzerland in late August. In what served as the dress rehearsal for the Worlds, the Lionesses were disappointing.
If they want to go far in the knockout stage, the Czechs will need all their big guns to step up. A healthy Kristyna Kaltounkova can be the most dominant player in the tournament, but if players like Denisa Krizova, Katerina Mrazova and Tereza Vanisova are quiet like they were in Milan, Czechia will once again struggle to find the necessary offense to stay in the bronze medal conversation.
Cap Summary
Draft Picks
Defensively, the Czechs are exceptional. Captain Aneta Tejralova is joined by veterans Daniela Pejsova and Noemi Neubauerova, who provide strong support to goaltender Klara Peslarova, who, despite struggling during the EHT, can steal the show.
The Czechs have made it to the bronze medal game in each of the last four Women’s Worlds, finishing third in 2022 and 2023, with the prior, which happened to take place in Denmark, marking the country’s first Women’s Worlds podium.
Germany
In the restructured format, Germany is the one team I’m intrigued to watch against the “old Group A” powers this year. Since their surprising first-place finish in Group B at the 2024 WWC, I’ve been curious to see what The Eagle Carriers could do with a few more games against top competition.
Jeff MacLeod’s group will get just that in Group A, but I don’t think they’re simply going to back into a fourth-place finish. With Sandra Abstreiter between the pipes, the Germans are surely capable of pulling off a stunner against Switzerland or Czechia. She might not have been outstanding during the Olympics, but she can be a difference maker.
It seems as if the world was reminded how good Laura Kluge can be. The Boston Fleet winger scored clutch goals for Germany back in February, helping her team clinch second place in Group B. Despite the Germans being eliminated in the quarterfinals, Kluge still finished tied for fifth in tournament scoring. Emily Nix, Franziska Feldmeier, Nicola Hadraschek-Eisenschmid and Svenja Voight headline an experienced forward group that can’t be taken lightly. Not to mention defenders Nina Jobst-Smith and Daria Gleissner, who are a pair of incredibly dynamic players on the back end.
Germany has never finished better than fifth at the WWC, which happened in 2001 and 2013. They will be facing Austria in their first game on Saturday.
Switzerland
It’s been a long time since there were realistic expectations surrounding Switzerland’s women’s team. Following back-to-back quarterfinal exits at the 2024 and 2025 WWC, Eisgenossinnen stunned everybody by knocking off Finland in the Olympic quarters last February, putting up a valiant effort against Canada in the semifinals before beating Sweden to win bronze.
Now, coming back to Denmark, and with legendary Canadian head coach Shannon Miller behind the bench, the Swiss have hopes that they can end their WWC medal drought, as the team hasn’t won bronze since 2012. They trek out much of the same roster that participated in Milan, including goaltenders Andrea Brandli and Saskia Maurer, who both played exceptionally at the Olympics. Brandli, PWHL Detroit’s first-ever draft pick, is expected to take the brunt of the minutes once again.
Switzerland’s defense was decent in front of their goaltenders in the EHT, but not great as the team went 3-0-3 in the first two legs. Nicole Vallario and Lucie Tenebaum are part of a blue line that isn’t nearly as deep as some of the others in the group, which could be a problem. The Swiss will have to show they can produce a little more offense as well. While Alina Muller scored big goals in Milan, it almost wasn’t enough, as the team scored just nine goals in seven games. Sure, Lara Stalder isn’t getting any younger, but I want to see more from her. Keep an eye on Naemi Herzig, who was one of Switzerland’s top scorers in the EHT.
Switzerland has an early test on Friday, as they get to face the mighty Americans.
United States
The defending Women’s World and Olympic champions are unanimous favorites to win gold in Denmark, and there isn’t any argument that can prove me otherwise.
Sure, the Americans were a little over a minute away from being upset by Canada in Milan, but that doesn’t wipe away what was a dominant effort that saw the U.S. allow just two goals in seven games. To make matters worse for the rest of the competition, head coach John Wroblewski is running it back with just about the same team.
While Hilary Knight, Megan Keller, and Alex Carpenter lead a strong veteran core, USA Hockey’s youth movement is stepping into superstardom. Defender Caroline Harvey was named the MVP in Italy before taking home the Patty Kazmier Award as the best women’s player in the NCAA, winning a third NCAA Championship and being selected first overall by the Vancouver Goldeneyes.
If she’s not enough, then there’s the versatile Laila Edwards, the high-flying Abbey Murphy, the playmaking Tessa Janecke, or the efficient Hannah Bilka.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find any holes in the United States’ lineup, or find any holes in their goaltending. Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Philips made history at the Winter Games and are expected to backstop the country to gold once again.
The Americans have won gold at the World Championship 11 times, second only to Canada.
Group B
Canada
It’s hard to fathom how great of underdogs Canada is heading into this year’s Women’s Worlds. Sure, they were expected to lose to the United States at the Olympics, but even following a massive overhaul in management and player personnel, it won’t be easy for the red and white to reclaim the top of the podium for the first time since the 2024 Women’s Worlds.
Gone are Gina Kingsbury and Troy Ryan, with Daniele Sauvageau and Kori Cheverie taking over as GM and head coach, respectively. This has led to notable roster changes, which had grown stale over the past few international events. Sure, Marie-Philip Poulin is out recovering from knee surgery and Claire Thompson retired, but Sarah Nurse, Brianne Jenner, Emerance Maschmeyer and Jocelyne Larocque are among the veterans who aren’t on the team this year.
With that, there are opportunities for less experienced talent to step up in a big way. Chloe Primerano, Caitlin Kraemer and 18-year-old Rosalie Tremblay are among the youngsters set to represent their country. A stable list of national team veterans remains: Sarah Fillier, Laura Stacey, Ann-Renee Desbiens and Erin Ambrose, but the message from Hockey Canada is clear: the time for change is now.
Canada has won a record 13 gold medals at the WWC, having appeared in every championship game but one. The Canadians open up Group B play with an enticing battle with Sweden on Friday.
Denmark
The host Danes are jacked up to host the Women’s Worlds for the first time since 2022, the last time the team avoided relegation on their return to the top division (granted, COVID led the IIHF to disallow movement between divisions during that time).
Regardless, even in Group B, Denmark will have their hands full against some fairly deep rosters, and are going to be battling to avoid being sent back to D1A once again.
The only way the Danish Lions have a shot at getting a point in the group stage is if Emma-Sofie Nordstrom stands on her head. The Hamilton draft pick appeared in all five games at the D1A Worlds last year, helping Denmark finish second behind Austria. After recovering from a season-ending injury at St. Lawrence, the healthy netminder will have her work cut out for her.
Last year, Silke Lave Glud and Nicoline Jensen powered Denmark’s offense. The captain Jensen notched six points in five games at the WWC last year, and is off to a strong start with the Malmo Redhawks, scoring nine points in her first six games.
Denmark, a team with just one win in round-robin play in the top division, will cap off the first day of action on Friday against Finland.
Finland
Like Czechia, Finland was left wanting after a stunning quarterfinal loss, falling to Switzerland and coming short of the semis at a major international tournament for the first time since the 2023 world championship. It was arguably the worst performance by the Finns in a long time. They scored just three goals before being shut out by the Swiss.
It was certainly a shot in the arm for a program that was widely regarded as the third-best nation in women’s hockey. Now, with the rise of Czechia and Sweden, and with Switzerland being competitive once again, Suomi has something to prove over the next 10 days.
Tero Lehtera has a very experienced team looking to make amends, featuring the usual suspects – Noora Tulus, Elisa Holopainen, Petra Nieminen, Susanna Tapani and goaltender Sanni Ahola. Yet that same core did little to help the squad go far enough in Milan, even though we all know they’re capable of so much more. The Lady Lions are going to need more from the veterans, especially Michelle Karvinen, who is seeking a better outcome in Denmark, following a disappointing first year in the PWHL.
Finland ranks third all-time with 16 medals at the WWC, 15 of which are bronze. They are still the only nation other than the U.S. or Canada to play in a Women’s Worlds final.
Japan
While Japan is almost a lock to make it to the quarterfinals, they certainly don’t have a ton of momentum after their performance at the Winter Games. They narrowly defeated France and lost to host Italy, shockingly missing out on the knockout stage at a major world tournament since they earned promotion back to the top division of the Women’s Worlds in 2017.
Smile Japan is coming off winning a third straight gold medal at the IIHF Asia Championship last month, which might give the team a little bit of confidence as they arrive in Denmark. Yumeka Wajima was the team’s top scorer in the tournament, posting seven points in three games. She scored a goal at the Olympics in February, after posting five during qualification the year before.
If there’s any player who can be a true gamechanger, it’s Akane Shiga. The new PWHL Detroit forward has been Japan’s offensive catalyst for several years, and is coming off an exceptional season with Lulea in the SDHL, scoring 38 points in 36 contests.
Defense is a huge question mark for the program, as Japan has been known to give up loads of scoring chances against better teams. In net, Miyuu Masuhara was the starter last February, but she wasn’t even on Japan’s roster at the Asia Championship, as the competitive Riko Kawaguchi played in two of her team’s three games last month.
Japan’s best finish at the WWC came back in 2022, when they finished fifth. They are off until Saturday, when they face host Denmark.
Sweden
I think it’s safe to say Sweden is finally back on the rise to prominence. For years, they were viewed as an afterthought while bumbling around in the old Group B. However, after taking down Czechia in the Olympic quarters, coming one goal away from taking home a bronze medal, Damkronoma is in their best form in a long time.
While we had grown accustomed to seeing Emma Soderberg as the Swedes’ No. 1 goaltender, Milan proved to be a coming-out party for Ebba Svensson Traff. The Linkoping netminder went 4-2 at the Olympics, and certainly showed the world she’s one of Europe’s top backstops.
The reigning SDHL goalie of the year has some support ahead of her. Maja Nylen Persson is still regarded as the best defender outside North America, with the New York Siren flanked by PWHL Hamilton signee Anna Kjellbin and Ohio State standout Mira Jungaker, both of whom were exceptional in Italy in February.
Sweden has a cast of characters who can carry the offense. Thea Johansson used the Olympics as an opportunity to secure her status as a top PWHL prospect, as she, Hanna Olsson and Hilda Svensson led the team with seven points in the tournament. If there’s any team in Group B that has a shot at knocking off Canada in the opening round, it’s the blue and yellow.
Sweden hasn’t won a medal at the Women’s Worlds since 2007, when they secured their second straight bronze. Damkronoma’s first test will come on Friday against Canada.
Predicitions
Group A
1. United States
2. Czechia
3. Switzerland
4. Germany
5. Austria
Group B
1. Canada
2. Sweden
3. Finland
4. Japan
5. Denmark
Medals
Gold: United States
Silver: Canada
Bronze: Sweden
