Report: Canada, USA could be forced to wear generic jerseys at 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship
The United States and Canada are gearing up for another run for the gold medal on the world stage, but they might have to change what they want to wear.
According to Chris Johnston and Hailey Salvian of The Athletic, the two women’s hockey superpowers may be forced to wear generic jerseys at the upcoming IIHF Women’s World Championship because of a legal dispute.
In their 5-3 win over the U.S. on Wednesday night in Windsor, snapping an eight-game losing skid to their southern rivals, Canada repped their new Hockey Canada uniforms, designed by Bauer, which the team is planning on wearing when they drop the puck in Denmark next month.
However, the International Ice Hockey Federation is in a legal battle with Hockey Canada and USA Hockey, who wears jerseys designed by CCM, over who has control over commercial rights to their respective jerseys.
In 2025, the IIHF announced a partnership with True Hockey, making them the exclusive supplier for national team uniforms. However, it’s unclear if the deal was finalized for the 2026-27 season. According to the U.S. and Canada, they reference statute 24.3 of the IIHF bylaws, where Member National Associations “retain all rights related to their national team logo, emblem and uniform design.” It also notes that “the IIHF shall not use MNA team jerseys for commercial purposes unless approval is provided by the respective MNA.” The IIHF does have to give final approval on the jerseys.
In May, the IIHF called for an Extraordinary Congress, with the hopes of changing the statutes to take control of national team uniform commercial rights. With that, the organization will be allowed to sell True Hockey jerseys with national team identities, meaning Hockey Canada and USA Hockey wouldn’t be able to sell their own branded sweaters.
Both entities filed injunctions in Swiss court, which were granted through September. The court found that IIHF rules grant them the commercial rights connected to its own competitions, including supplying jerseys. HC and USAH have both appealed, leading to uncertainty heading into the Women’s Worlds, which is set to begin on Nov. 6.
Even though True Hockey has the jersey rights, it can’t use Canadian American jersey marks or designs…meaning the TH sweaters will just say ‘USA’ and ‘Canada.’
Wearing uniforms without the Hockey Canada and USA Hockey crests is nothing new to the countries. Since the 2010 Winter Olympics, the International Olympic Committee has banned any commercial emblems from being displayed on team uniforms.