WCH U18 2026/27

The IIHF World U18 Championship is the premier annual international tournament for under-18 men’s ice hockey, organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Established in 1999, it replaced the IIHF European Junior Championship, which had operated for both U19 and U18 age groups until that point. The competition serves as a crucial developmental pathway for players before they progress to the U20 level.

The Top Division features 10 teams split into two groups of five. Teams compete in a single round-robin series, with the top four from each group advancing to the playoff quarterfinals. These matches pair the first-placed team from one group against the fourth from the other, such as 1A versus 4B. Winners move on to the semi-finals and subsequent medal games. Meanwhile, the bottom team in each group enters a relegation round; the loser drops to Division I Group A, while the winner of that division earns promotion to the Top Division.

Historically, the United States stands as the most successful nation, securing 11 gold medals. This dominance included a run of seven consecutive titles between 2009 and 2015. Canada follows with six golds, including recent victories in 2021, 2024, and 2025. Sweden has also claimed three gold medals, most recently in 2026 when they defeated Slovakia in the final held in Bratislava and Trenčín, Slovakia. The tournament has grown significantly since its inception, expanding from an initial four-team format to include multiple divisions to support global participation. Notable records include the US holding the highest total number of medals with 21. Russia and Belarus remain suspended from IIHF competitions.