Team Canada is once again one of the biggest favorites at the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland. With a roster filled with NHL stars, experienced veterans, and exciting young talent, Canada will aim to reclaim international dominance and capture another gold medal on the world stage.
The tournament will take place from May 15 to May 31, 2026, with Canada competing in Group B at the BCF Arena in Fribourg, Switzerland. Hockey fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see legends like Sidney Crosby and John Tavares lead a talented Canadian squad against some of the top hockey nations in the world.
Canada enters the championship after a strong international run over the past several years. Despite disappointment at the Winter Olympics, the Canadian program continues to build one of the deepest and fastest hockey teams in international competition. The 2026 roster blends elite scoring, defensive depth, and strong goaltending, making Canada a serious contender for the gold medal.
Team Canada Schedule – 2026 IIHF World Championship
All Group B games for Team Canada will be played at BCF Arena in Fribourg, Switzerland.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 15 | Sweden | 10:20 a.m. |
| Saturday, May 16 | Italy | 10:20 a.m. |
| Monday, May 18 | Denmark | 10:20 a.m. |
| Thursday, May 21 | Norway | 10:20 a.m. |
| Friday, May 22 | Slovenia | 10:20 a.m. |
| Sunday, May 24 | Slovakia | 2:20 p.m. |
| Tuesday, May 26 | Czechia | 2:20 p.m. |
Team Canada Roster – 2026 IIHF World Championship
Forwards
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Gabriel Vilardi | Winnipeg Jets |
| Connor Brown | New Jersey Devils |
| Robert Thomas | St. Louis Blues |
| Dawson Mercer | New Jersey Devils |
| Dylan Cozens | Ottawa Senators |
| Mark Scheifele | Winnipeg Jets |
| Emmitt Finnie | Detroit Red Wings |
| Macklin Celebrini | San Jose Sharks |
| Dylan Holloway | St. Louis Blues |
| Sidney Crosby | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| Ryan O’Reilly | Nashville Predators |
| John Tavares | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| Fraser Minten | Boston Bruins |
| Porter Martone | Philadelphia Flyers |
Defensemen
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Dylan DeMelo | Winnipeg Jets |
| Denton Mateychuk | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Sam Dickinson | San Jose Sharks |
| Evan Bouchard | Edmonton Oilers |
| Darnell Nurse | Edmonton Oilers |
| Zach Whitecloud | Calgary Flames |
| Parker Wotherspoon | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| Morgan Rielly | Toronto Maple Leafs |
Goalies
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Cam Talbot | Detroit Red Wings |
| Jack Ivankovic | University of Michigan |
| Jet Greaves | Columbus Blue Jackets |
Canada Coaching Staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Misha Donskov |
| Assistant Coach | Spencer Carbery |
| Assistant Coach | Ryan Huska |
| Assistant Coach | D.J. Smith |
| Goaltending Consultant | Scott Murray |
Canada Looks Ready for Another Deep Run
Canada’s 2026 roster combines championship experience with rising young stars. Veterans such as Sidney Crosby, Ryan O’Reilly, and John Tavares bring leadership and playoff experience, while players like Macklin Celebrini and Dylan Holloway add speed, skill, and offensive creativity.
Defensively, Canada features puck-moving talent led by Evan Bouchard and Morgan Rielly, while the goaltending group provides both experience and future potential. The balanced lineup gives Canada one of the strongest squads entering the tournament.
With difficult games against Sweden, Slovakia, and Czechia on the schedule, Team Canada will face immediate challenges in Group B. However, expectations remain high as Canadian fans hope the team can bring home another IIHF World Championship gold medal in 2026.