The Ukrainian national ice hockey team has completed the formation of its list of opponents for the 2026 World Championship, determining the last team to join Division IA. This was made possible by the results of the final round of the 2025 World Championship in the elite division.
On the last day of the group stage of the world championship, it was decided which team would remain in the elite and which would be relegated. Before the seventh round, Hungary and Kazakhstan were at risk of relegation, both having the same number of points, but Kazakhstan occupied the last place due to losses in head-to-head matches.
Hungary was the first on the ice in the decisive match but suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat against Norway. Kazakhstan needed to avoid losing in their match against Switzerland to retain their place in the elite division. Although Kazakhstan opened the scoring, they could not hold the lead: Switzerland equalized in the second period and scored three more goals in the third period, finishing the game 4-1 in their favor.
Thus, Kazakhstan, having earned only three points, ended up in last place in Group B and became the last team to play in Division IA at the 2026 World Championship. The Kazakhstan team was relegated to Division IA for the next season.
Division IA lineup for the 2026 World Championship
After losing their last match in Division IA at the 2025 World Championship, Ukraine finished third and failed to advance to the elite division. Japan and Poland retained their spots in Division IA, finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
Lithuania, in turn, was promoted by winning five matches (one in overtime) out of five and taking first place with 14 points in Division IB.
France was relegated from the elite division after failing to secure a single victory in Group A.
Participants of Division IA at the 2026 World Championship
- Ukraine
- Japan
- Poland
- Lithuania
- France
- Kazakhstan
