The 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship concluded on May 31, 2026, in Zurich, Switzerland, culminating in a historic final day of competition. Below is the comprehensive game report for the medal rounds.
Gold Medal Game:
Finland 🇫🇮 vs. Switzerland 🇨🇭
In a high-stakes, defensive showdown at the Swiss Life Arena, Finland defeated host nation Switzerland 1–0 in overtime to claim their fifth gold medal in tournament history.
Game Summary: Regulation play was an intense goaltending battle, with neither side able to break the deadlock through 60 minutes. The tie was finally shattered at 10:42 of the first overtime period when Konsta Helenius scored the championship-clinching goal.
Star Performers: Finnish goaltender Justus Annunen delivered a shutout performance, stopping all 22 shots faced. Switzerland’s Leonardo Genoni was equally impressive, turning aside 26 of 27 shots in a hard-fought defeat.
Bronze Medal Game:
Norway 🇳🇴 vs. Canada 🇨🇦
In one of the most significant upsets in international hockey, Norway secured a 3–2 overtime victory against Canada, earning the first medal in their nation’s tournament history.
Game Summary: Canada struggled offensively until the final minutes of regulation, when Robert Thomas ignited a comeback by scoring twice with the extra attacker. His second goal, coming with only seven seconds remaining, forced overtime.
The Deciding Goal: Despite the momentum shift, Norway regrouped in the extra frame, securing the win at 3:32 of overtime courtesy of Noah Steen.
2026 Media All-Star Team
| Position | Player | Team |
| Goalkeeper | Leonardo Genoni | Switzerland 🇨🇭 |
| Defender | Roman Josi | Switzerland 🇨🇭 |
| Defender | Henri Jokiharju | Finland 🇫🇮 |
| Forward | Macklin Celebrini | Canada 🇨🇦 |
| Forward | Sven Andrighetto | Switzerland 🇨🇭 |
| Forward | Aleksander Barkov | Finland 🇫🇮 |
Tournament Directorate Awards
In addition to the Media All-Star selections, the IIHF tournament directorate named their own picks for the best players by position:
Best Goalkeeper: Henrik Haukeland (Norway)
Best Defender: Roman Josi (Switzerland)
Best Forward: Macklin Celebrini (Canada)
Tournament MVP: Roman Josi (Switzerland)
It is worth noting that Macklin Celebrini was the only player selected for the Media All-Star Team who did not participate in the gold medal game, as Canada competed in and lost the bronze medal match.
Final Podium Summary
| Medal | Nation |
| Gold | Finland 🇫🇮 |
| Silver | Switzerland 🇨🇭 |
| Bronze | Norway 🇳🇴 |
