Group Report

Group A Update: Switzerland Roar Clear, Finland Hold Second

Hockey Worlds · 2026-05-20

Group A has split into three tiers four games into the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. Switzerland have pulled clear, Finland and Austria are tied on 9 points behind them, and three nations are scrapping for the fourth quarterfinal spot.

At the top

Switzerland sit alone in first on 12 points after a 4-0 start to the tournament. The hosts trampled Austria 9-0 at Swiss Life Arena on Tuesday afternoon to push their goal differential to a tournament-best +18 (22 for, 4 against). Sandro Aeschlimann and Reto Berra have shared the workload, and the Swiss have outscored opponents 13-0 over their last two games.

Finland are second on 9 points from three games, perfect through their schedule with a +9 differential. Lenni Hämeenaho and Aatu Räty have powered the Finnish attack, and Justus Annunen has been steady in net. The Finns are the only side that can catch Switzerland on points, but their head-to-head at the end of the group stage will likely decide the seeding.

Austria are also on 9 points but with a -2 differential after the heavy loss to Switzerland. Three regulation wins earlier in the tournament keep them in the quarterfinal picture, but they need points from a tough closing schedule.

The chase pack

Three teams are level on 3 points and chasing the last quarterfinal spot. Hungary climbed into the mix with a 5-0 win over Great Britain. The United States have a single win from three games and a -2 differential. Latvia have struggled offensively with just 5 goals in 3 games and sit on -2 as well.

Eliminated picture

Germany are bottom on 0 points after three regulation losses and a -9 differential. Great Britain are also pointless and sport a -12 differential after the loss to Hungary. Both teams need to win out and hope for chaos elsewhere to have a chance.

Looking ahead

The United States and Germany meet at Swiss Life Arena tonight in a near must-win for both sides. Finland face Hungary on Wednesday in a game that could effectively decide the third quarterfinal spot, while Switzerland have a brief breather before resuming their march toward top seed.