The groups have been finalized for the 2026 World Junior Championship (WJC) in Minneapolis.
Group A, which will play at the Xcel Energy Center, will be comprised of Germany, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, and defending gold medalist USA.
Group B, which will play at 3M Arena at Mariucci — a 10,257 capacity venue that’s the home to the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers — will be comprised of Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, and Latvia.
Denmark was promoted to the top group for 2026, while Kazakhstan was relegated after finishing last in the 2025 WJC in Ottawa.
NHL reporter Scott Wheeler noted Canada and Slovakia were seeded in opposite groups but USA Hockey, as host, had the right to move a team. They decided to separate Canada and the USA for group balance and to benefit ticket sales at both arenas, since Canada and the USA are the biggest draws when the tournament is held in North America.
The 2026 WJC begins on Boxing Day and runs through Jan. 5, 2026.