The 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I, Group A is set to take place in Sosnowiec, Poland, from May 2 to May 8, 2026. This tournament remains one of the most high-stakes events on the international calendar, with the top two finishers earning promotion to the 2027 Top Division, while the bottom-placed team faces relegation to Division I, Group B.
A classic rivalry renewed as Poland and Ukraine battle for dominance
Tournament Overview
Host City: Sosnowiec, Poland
Venue: Sosnowiec Arena
Dates: May 2 – May 8, 2026
Participating Teams: France, Kazakhstan, Poland, Japan, Ukraine, and Lithuania.
The Contenders
Kazakhstan (Relegated from Top Division)
After five consecutive years in the elite flight, Kazakhstan returns to Division I for the first time since 2019. They enter as the heavy favorites, led by veteran captain Roman Starchenko, who is remarkably making his 18th World Championship appearance. With a roster heavily featuring KHL talent and goaltender Andrei Shutov back in the fold, the Kazakhs are expected to secure one of the two promotion spots.
France (Relegated from Top Division)
France finds themselves back in Group A after a disappointing 2025 campaign in Sweden/Denmark. Though they will miss NHL star Alexandre Texier (currently in the Stanley Cup playoffs), the French squad is bolstered by Olympic experience, having finished 11th in the 2026 Winter Games. Keep an eye on goaltenders Antoine Keller and the experienced Quentin Papillon as they look to backstop “Les Bleus” back to the elite level.
Poland (Host Nation)
Following a tough 2025 tournament where they finished 5th, the Poles will rely on home-ice advantage to push for a top-two finish. Under Finnish coach Pekka Tirkkonen, Poland features a roster largely from the PHL, but impact players like Pawel Zygmunt and Krzysztof Macias (Czech Extraliga) provide necessary depth. With John Murray retired, Tomas Fucik takes over the crease.
Ukraine
Ukraine was the heartbreak story of 2025, missing out on promotion on the final day after a loss to Japan. They return with a potent offense led by Andrei Denyskin and Viktor Zakharov. Defensively, Igor Merezhko remains one of the best blueliners in the division. If Bogdan Dyachenko can repeat his “Top Goalkeeper” performance from last year, Ukraine could finally break back into the Top Division.
Japan
Japan proved to be the ultimate “spoiler” last year and will look to do more than just survive in 2026. While they will miss the firepower of Yushiro Hirano due to injury, the squad features young talent like Yu Sato and Jordan Keller. Coached by Jarrod Skalde, Japan is a disciplined unit that thrives on high-pressure transition play.
Lithuania (Promoted from Group B)
The newcomers to Group A, Lithuania earned their spot by winning last year’s Group B tournament in Estonia. While they are the lowest-ranked team in the field, they are known for their physical play and resilience. Their primary goal will be to avoid the 6th-place spot and cement their position in Group A.
Opening Day Schedule (May 2, 2026)
The tournament kicks off with a triple-header:
12:30: Japan vs. France
16:00: Lithuania vs. Kazakhstan
19:30: Poland vs. Ukraine
Key Storylines to Watch
The Battle for the Top Spot: Can France or Kazakhstan exert their dominance as former elite-level teams, or will the rising programs like Ukraine and Poland pull off the upset?
The Olympic Hangover: France is the only team coming off a high-intensity Olympic tournament. Will that experience be an asset or a source of fatigue?
Host Pressure: Poland has struggled in recent high-stakes matches; playing in front of a passionate Sosnowiec crowd will be a major test of their mental toughness.
