Sport
Ice Hockey World Championships 2026: Predictions
With the 2026 IIHF World Championship just around the corner, the ice hockey betting markets are heating up, and there is plenty to get stuck into across the outright and group stage markets.
The tournament gets underway on Friday 15th May in Switzerland, with 16 nations split across two host cities: Zurich and Fribourg. Games run through to May 31st, then the final takes place at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich. It promises to be a compelling edition of the competition, with the Winter Olympic hangover looming over a fired-up Canada, defending champions USA, and a host of hungry European nations all set to collide on the same sheet of ice.
Canada: Favourites with a point to prove?
Canada come into the tournament looking to put a painful 2026 Winter Olympics final defeat to the USA behind them, heading here in search of a record 29th World Championship title.
Canada are 5/4 favourites to go all the way, and that seems about right, with the additions of John Tavares and Mark Scheifele who may provide the edge they didn’t have to see the Winter Olympics out. They may be the best team on paper, and the markets suggest they should claim gold, but paper doesn’t win medals, as we saw in Italy this winter.
Can the USA back up their Olympic Gold?
Team USA arrive as defending World Champions, beating Switzerland 1-0 in last year’s final thanks to winner deep into overtime, ending a wait that stretched back to 1960. The difficulty now is keeping their status as champions and finding that same hunger after winning Olympic gold.
If the likes of Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, Jack Hughes, and Matthew Tkachuk accept their invitations, it is difficult to overlook the United States as genuine contenders, as their recent tournament form suggest they cannot be ruled out. However, a depleted team will be a very different proposition to a full-strength one.
The Americans arrive in Europe as 4/1 favourites to continue their winning streak on the biggest stage.
Switzerland: The Home Nation
Switzerland and Sweden are tied as the third-shortest priced team in the market, and there’s nothing separating them at 5/1. Switzerland have claimed silver at this tournament in the last two editions. Playing on home soil in Zurich is favourable and could see them take the next step forward in going for gold.
Switzerland represent great value at 5/1, given their consistent runs to the final in the last two competitions, and with home fans behind them, they will be a force to reckon with through the knockout rounds.
Dark Hose: Sweden
Many are anticipating Sweden to claim the bronze medal for a third consecutive year, there’s a case to be made that they can go further. Making it to two consecutive semi-finals suggests that they can consistently deliver a high standard of hockey, and they may be ready to take the final step. At relatively generous price of 5/1, that’s an attractive punt if their goalscoring clicks over the next fortnight of high-pressure hockey.
Prediction: Canada To Win – 5/4
Canada have the motivation, experience, and a boosted roster built around proven international performers. The Olympic loss with have stung, and that sort of wound tends to galvanise rather than deflate a nation with Canada’s hockey culture and passion. With the USA likely to be missing some key names, this feels like Canada’s tournament to lose.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at time of writing*
