WCH U20 IIA 2026/27

The **IIHF World U20 Championship Division II Group A** sits as the third tier of the international junior ice hockey calendar, positioned immediately below Division I. Organised by the International Ice Hockey Federation, the competition traces its lineage back to the C-Series, which began play in 1983 before being restructured into the current Division II format in 2001. The specific split into Group A and Group B occurred in 2013, establishing the structure that remains in place today.

Six national under-20 teams contest the title each year through a single round-robin format. The stakes are clear: the winner secures promotion to Division I Group B, while the bottom-placed side faces relegation to Division II Group B. This system ensures rapid movement within the pyramid, driven by the younger age group’s development cycle. Japan holds the record for success in this specific era, claiming six titles since the group’s inception. Lithuania entered as the defending champion after winning the 2025 edition.

Host duties rotate annually among the participating nations. Croatia hosted the 2025 tournament, following events in Turkey and Great Britain in 2024. The participating teams for the current season include China, Croatia, Great Britain, Romania, South Korea, and Spain. The competition maintains a strict branding under the IIHF World Junior Championship structure, distinguishing it from senior divisions through its focus on youth development rather than commercial sponsorship variations. The format prioritises direct competition without replays, ensuring a definitive outcome based on the points accumulated during the round-robin stage.