The first day of the World Juniors 2026 round robin play wraps up on Friday night with a heavyweight match-up between two of the best hockey teams in the world.
Hockey Canada and Czechia take the ice at 3M Arena, home of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, in a rematch of the 2025 semifinals starting at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Top 2026 NHL draft eligible prospects to watch include Gavin McKenna and Keaton Verhoeff for the Canadians, joining the six returners from last year’s team.
Center Adam Novotný and Vladimír Dravecký on the blue line are at the top of FloHockey contributor Chris Peters’ draft eligible list representing Czechia.
Czechia ended Canada’s run in the last two WJC during the quarterfinals. Last year, Canada didn’t hold the lead once, but a goal by Porter Martone started a comeback late in the second that was finally secured by Bradly Nadeau with just four minutes left: 3-3.
St. Louis Blues prospect Adam Jecho scored the game-winning goal on the power play, devastating the hosts with just 40 seconds remaining before Czechia would eventually go on to secure their third medal in a row.
Canada hopes to turn around things around after missing a medal the past two tournaments. That journey starts tonight.
Stay tuned for live updates of Canada vs Czechia in the World Juniors Championship on Friday, Dec. 26.
World Juniors: Czechia vs Canada Hockey Live Updates, Score And Highlights
Refresh your page regularly to see the latest live updates, scoring highlights, and more.
Last update: 7:32 p.m. ET
Live Now: USA vs Germany Heats Up, Within 1 At Halfway Point
The United States hosts Germany in Saint Paul, Minn., in its opening preliminary-round game of the 2026 World Juniors.
FloHockey contributor Amelia Engstrom is providing live updates throughout the game.
Think @umichhockey has seen this one a few times this year… Will Horcoff (PIT) wires one to make it 3-0 USA. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/sm0GfXNeX2
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) December 26, 2025Team Canada Projected Lineup Vs. Czechia
Chris Peters put together his projected lineup based on what he’s seen in training camp and pre-tournament play. Click here for more information.
Forwards
Tij Iginla (UTA) – Michael Misa (SJS) – Porter Martone (PHI)
Gavin McKenna (2026) – Michael Hage (MTL) – Brady Martin (NSH)
Cole Reschny (CGY) – Cole Beaudoin (UTA) – Jett Luchanko (PHI)
Liam Greentree (LAK) – Braeden Cootes (VAN) – Sam O’Reilly (TBL)
Caleb Desnoyers (UTA)
Defense
Cameron Reid (NSH) – Zayne Parekh (CGY)
Carson Carels (2026) – Harrison Brunicke (PIT)
Kashawn Aitcheson (NYI) – Ben Danford (TOR)
Ethan MacKenzie
Goalies
Carter George (LAK)
Jack Ivankovic (NSH)
Canada’s projected power-play units (via TSN’s Mark Masters)
Brady Martin, Michael Hage, Cole Reschny, Gavin McKenna, Zayne Parekh
Porter Martone, Jett Luchanko, Michael Misa, Tij Iginla, Harrison Brunicke
2026 World Juniors Scores On Day 1
It’s been an exciting first day of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN. Here are the scores so far:
Sweden 3 – 2 SlovakiaFinland 6 – 2 DenmarkLive Now: USA 4 – 3 GermanyWhen Does Canada Play In The World Juniors?
Canada plays Czechia starting at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 26. Follow along here for live updates and to watch highlights.
Chris and Cam make their 2026 WJC Top Forward predictions!
Full WJC Preview: https://t.co/BIaMfgEIVh@eliteprospects | @MNSportsEvents #CalledUp #CalledUpPodcast #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/angQVL8zF8
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) December 26, 2025Canada World Juniors Roster 2026ForwardsCarter Bear, LW/C, Everett Silvertips (DET)Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie Colts (UTA)Braeden Cootes, C/RW, Seattle Thunderbirds (VAN)Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats (UTA)Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor Spitfires (LAK)Michael Hage, C, Michigan (MTL)Tij Iginla, LW, Kelowna Rockets (UTA)Jett Luchanko, C, Brantford Bulldogs (PHI)Brady Martin, C, Soo Greyhounds (NSH)Porter Martone, RW, Michigan State (PHI)Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (2026)Michael Misa, C/LW, San Jose Barracuda (SJS)Sam O’Reilly, C/RW, London Knights (TBL)Cole Reschny, C/LW, North Dakota (CGY)DefenseKashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie Colts (NYI)Harrison Brunicke, D, Pittsburgh Penguins (PIT)Carson Carels, D, Prince George Cougars (2026)Ben Danford, D, Brantford Bulldogs (TOR)Ethan MacKenzie, D, Edmonton Oil KingsZayne Parekh, D, Calgary Flames (CGY)Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener Rangers (NSH)Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota (2026)GoaliesCarter George, G, Owen Sound Attack (LAK)Jack Ivankovic, G, Michigan (NSH)Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars (SJS)Czechia World Juniors Roster 2026ForwardsAdam Benak, C, Brantford Bulldogs (MIN)Vojtech Cihar, LW, Kelowna Rockets (LAK)Max Curran, C/LW, Edmonton Oil Kings (COL)Samuel Drancak, C, Red Deer RebelsStepan Hoch, LW, HC Motor Ceske Budejovice (UTA)Adam Jecho, C/RW, Edmonton Oil Kings (STL)Jiri Klima, LW, Shawinigan CataractesMatej Kubiesa, RW, HC Ocelari TrinecVaclav Nestrasil, RW, UMass (CHI)Adam Novotny, LW/RW, Peterborough Petes (2026)Tomas Poletin, LW, Kelowna Rockets (NYI) Petr Sikora, C, HC Ocelari Trinec (WSH)Adam Titlbach, C/LW, Vancouver GiantsRichard Zemlicka, F, Youngstown PhantomsDefenseVashek Blanar, D, HV71 (BOS)Vladimir Dravecky, D, Brantford Bulldogs (2026)Jakub Fibigr, D, Brampton Steelheads (SEA)Tomas Galvas, D, Bili Tygri Liberec Adam Jiricek, D, Brantford Bulldogs (STL)Matyas Man, D, Prince Albert RaidersRadim Mrtka, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (BUF)Max Psenicka, D, Portland Winterhawks (UTA)Jakub Vanacek, D, Tri-City Americans (2026)GoaliesMatyas Marik, G, HC Motor Ceske BudejoviceMichal Orsulak, G, Prince Albert RaidersJakub Milota, G, Blainville-Broisbriand Armada (NSH)How to Watch Czechia vs Canada Hockey World Juniors In Canada, US
All games during 2026 World Juniors tournament will be broadcast live on the NHL Network for viewers in the US.
The network will air live game telecasts of the World Junior Championships plus analysis, highlights, and interviews about the tournament.
If you live in Canada, you can watch each game on TSN.
You can also follow along on FloHockey for the latest news throughout the tournament.
Watch The Ivar Stenberg Shot That Secured Sweden’s World Juniors Win
Ivar Stenberg broke out against Slovakia to score the third and final goal and take the lead over Slovakia in the third period with a five-hole slip past Alan Lendak.
Sweden’s power play was rock solid across the second and third period but it was Slovakia who surged back late in the game to tie it up in the World Juniors opener on Friday, Dec. 26.
As one of the potential No. 1 NHL draft picks in 2026 competing with Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg already had a lot of attention going his way and this will only add to the excitement.
WHAT A TUCK! 🔥
Ivar Stenberg with the CLUTCH go-ahead goal with just a few minutes to go in the game! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/oZkvvupjFJ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2025Earlier Tonight: Anton Frondell Talks About Ending Sweden’s Drought
Anton Frondell (CHI) is not feeling any pressure even though Sweden has “everything to win here” at the 2026 World Juniors 👀
(also, math is hard, we get it)@Djurgardens_IF | @NHLBlackhawks #WorldJuniors #WJC #TeamSweden #TreKronor #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/MvoC9VESjm
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) December 26, 20252026 World Junior Championship Schedule
View the full schedule below for the Group Stage and playoff rounds of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota. FloHockey will provide free live updates for each USA and Canada game including analysis, scoring summaries, and highlights.
Friday, December 261:00 p.m. ET – Sweden 3 – 2 Slovakia2:30 p.m. ET – Denmark 2 – 6 Finland6:00 p.m. ET – Germany vs USA *Read Live Updates Now*8:30 p.m. ET – Czechia vs Canada *Live Updates*Saturday, December 272:00 p.m. ET – Slovakia vs Germany4:30 p.m. ET – Latvia vs Canada *Live Updates*6:00 p.m. ET – USA vs Switzerland *Live Updates*8:30 p.m. ET – Denmark vs CzechiaSunday, December 282:00 p.m. ET – Sweden vs Switzerland4:30 p.m. ET – Finland vs LatviaMonday, December 291:00 p.m. ET – Germany vs Sweden3:30 p.m. ET – Finland vs Czechia6:00 p.m. ET – Slovakia vs USA *Live Updates*8:30 p.m. ET – Canada vs Denmark *Live Updates*Tuesday, December 302:00 p.m. ET – Switzerland vs Germany4:30 p.m. ET – Latvia vs DenmarkWednesday, December 311:00 p.m. ET – Switzerland vs Slovakia3:30 p.m. ET – Czechia vs Latvia6:00 p.m. ET – USA vs Sweden *Live Updates*8:30 p.m. ET – Canada vs Finland *Live Updates*Friday, January 212:30 p.m. ET – Relegation Game2:00 p.m. ET – Quarterfinals Game 14:30 p.m. ET – Quarterfinals Game 26:00 p.m. ET – Quarterfinals Game 38:30 p.m. ET – Quarterfinals Game 4Sunday, January 44:30 p.m. ET – Semifinals Game 18:30 p.m. ET – Semifinals Game 2Monday, January 54:30 p.m. ET – Bronze Medal Game8:30 p.m. ET – Gold Medal GameIIHF World Juniors Hockey: Past Champions
Here’s who won the Gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship since 2000.
2025: United States2024: United States2023: Canada2022: Canada2021: United States2020: Canada2019: Finland2018: Canada2017: United States 2016: Finland2015: Canada2014: Finland2013: United States 2012: Sweden2011: Russia2010: United States2009: Canada2008: Canada2007: Canada2006: Canada 2005: Canada2004: United States2003: Russia2002: Russia2001: Czech Republic2000: Czech Republic2026 World Junior Championship Teams
View the list of teams, by group, for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Group AUSAGermanySwitzerlandSwedenSlovakiaGroup BCanadaCzechiaLatviaDenmarkFinlandFollow FloHockey’s Coverage Of The 2026 World Junior Championship
FloHockey will be on site for complete coverage of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can expect game-by-game coverage of both Team USA and Team Canada from FloHockey’s experts, interviews with key players and coaches and much more. Follow FloHockey’s WJC coverage here.
NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey
The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don’t miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.
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