Today’s slate at the 2026 IIHF World Championship featured high-stakes action as teams battled for critical points to secure their paths to the quarterfinals. Below are the game summaries for the six matchups held across the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich and the BCF Arena in Fribourg.

Norway Stuns Sweden

Group A

  • 🇱🇻 Latvia 4, 🇺🇸 United States 2
    Venue: Swiss Life Arena 

    In a stunning Group A upset, Latvia kept their quarter-final hopes alive by outlasting the defending champion United States. Despite the Americans outshooting their opponents 47-22, Latvian goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis delivered a masterclass performance with 45 saves to backstop his team to victory. Sandis Vilmanis sealed the win with two empty-net goals in the third period, punishing the U.S. for their inability to convert their heavy offensive pressure into a comeback.


  • 🇨🇭 Switzerland 9, 🇭🇺 Hungary 0
    Venue: Swiss Life Arena The host nation continued their dominant run through the preliminary round, dismantling Hungary in a decisive shutout victory. Switzerland controlled the ice from the opening puck drop, showcasing their depth and offensive efficiency to maintain their perfect record. Captain Roman Josi led the charge with a hat trick, while Leonardo Genoni secured a comfortable clean sheet to keep the Swiss at the top of the group.
  • 🇩🇪 Germany 6, 🇦🇹 Austria 2
    Venue: Swiss Life Arena Germany made quick work of Austria in this evening’s Group A contest. The German squad dominated the play, effectively converting their offensive zone time into a multi-goal cushion that Austria could not overcome. The win provides a vital boost for Germany as they look to climb out of the lower half of the table in the final stretch of the preliminary round.

Group B

  • 🇨🇿 Czechia 3, 🇸🇰 Slovakia 2
    Venue: BCF Arena In a high-stakes Group B showdown, regional rivals Czechia and Slovakia battled for position in the top half of the standings. The game remained a tight contest until the final minutes, when Czechia scored a late goal in regulation to edge out their opponents. The result provides a significant boost to the Czechs as they continue to jockey for seeding at the top of the group.
  • 🇳🇴 Norway 3, 🇸🇪 Sweden 2
    Venue: BCF Arena In a historic result for Norwegian hockey, Norway defeated Sweden 3-2. The victory is monumental, as it marks the first time Norway has beaten Sweden in 60 minutes of regulation play; their two previous victories over the Swedes in tournament history were both decided by shootouts. Noah Steen was the hero for Norway, netting two goals, including a crucial shorthanded strike that shifted the momentum of the game and kept Norway’s knockout stage dreams alive.
  • 🇩🇰 Denmark 4, 🇸🇮 Slovenia 0
    Venue: BCF Arena Denmark’s defensive structure proved to be the difference-maker in their battle against Slovenia. By limiting Slovenia’s opportunities and capitalizing on their own scoring chances, the Danes secured a convincing shutout victory. The result marks Denmark’s first win of the tournament, providing them with momentum as they continue their push to move up the Group B standings.