Meet the women’s hockey teams heading to the 2026 Olympics

Country rankings are per the IIHF website, last updated on May 26, 2024.

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Asia

Japan is the only team from Asia that qualified for the 2026 Olympics. They hosted one of the final qualifying tournaments and left little doubt they belong in Milano Cortina. They outscored Poland, France and China by a combined 17-2 to secure their bid. That said, it’s unlikely the seventh-ranked team competes for a medal.

Europe

Czechia is off to their second Olympics after securing a direct entry with a fourth-place finish at the 2024 IIHF World Championships. They finished seventh in their first trip to the Olympic stage in 2022, but have improved quickly. If all goes well for the fourth-ranked Czechs, they’ll have a decent chance to appear in the bronze medal game. 

Finland secured one of the direct entries into the tournament after capturing bronze at the 2024 Worlds. The Finns are still not consistently up to North America’s level, but they are closing the gap. They’re ranked third and will have a good chance to claim their third straight Olympic bronze.

Germany will return to the Olympic stage after missing the last two tournaments. They hosted one of the final qualifying tournaments this past weekend, where they defeated Austria and Slovakia by a combined score of 8-1 before squeaking by Hungary in the final game, 2-1, to secure their bid. They’re ranked ninth in the world.

For just the second time, Italy will make an Olympic appearance in women’s hockey. In both 2006 and 2026, they got a direct entry as the host nation. The first was a disaster, as they finished last (then eighth place) while getting outscored 38-3. This tournament is unlikely to end much better. They only captured the bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF Division 1B World Championships and are currently ranked 19th in the world. If they at least score more than they did last time (or even just not allow as many), it should be considered a win for them.

Currently, Russia is part of the 2026 Olympic field as the sixth-ranked team. However, they haven’t played internationally since 2021 due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the IIHF recently announced they would not be reintegrating them for the 2025-26 season. The decision now lies with the IOC on whether they can compete under the ROC banner again. If not, while ranked 14th in the 2024 IIHF rankings, France finished as the combined best second-ranked team in the final Olympic qualifier rankings. So, they will get the tenth spot and make their first Olympic appearance.

Sweden found themselves in the Olympic qualifiers after an uncharacteristically tough outing at the 2024 Worlds, where they finished seventh. However, they made easy work of the qualifiers, outscoring their opponents 16-0 in three games. Last time the Olympics were in Italy, Sweden became the first (and still only) non-North American team to play in the gold medal game after knocking off the United States. However, they haven’t medaled since. They’re ranked eighth in the world, and while it won’t be a surprise if they rise after these Olympics, it’s unlikely that changes this year.

Switzerland is another European nation that’s rising in women’s hockey. They finished fifth at the 2024 Worlds to secure the final direct entry into these Olympics. The fifth-ranked Swiss have medaled just once in the Olympics (bronze in 2014). However, they made it to the bronze medal game in 2022 and have competed for bronze in three of the past four World Championships (all losses). So, they’ll push for a spot in that game again.

North America 

Last but not least, Canada and the United States will bring their storied rivalry to the Olympic stage yet again. They’ve faced off in six of the seven gold medal games, and it would be a huge surprise if they don’t make it seven of eight this time around. Canada seeks to defend their 2022 title and claim their sixth overall. Meanwhile, the United States hopes to win its third gold medal and second in the past three Olympics. In their past four World Championship meetings, Canada has captured gold three of the four times, with the Americans only capturing gold in 2023. As such, Canada enters the tournament as the top-ranked team, while the U.S. sits second.

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Links

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Stick taps and snark — Feb. 11, 2025 — The Victory Press. VP’s Nicole Haase discusses some ups and downs across the women’s hockey world this past week, with an emphasis on the NCAA.

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