The United States captured its second consecutive World Juniors title a year ago, defeating Finland in overtime after Canada was eliminated on home ice in the quarterfinals. Is a three-peat in the cards this year?
The U.S. begins its World Juniors journey against Germany on Friday, with the action taking place on American ice this time around. St. Paul hosts the tournament for the first time since 1982.
STREAM: Watch the 2026 World Juniors with FuboTV, which offers a free trial
The standard for the Americans was set Sunday, when they steamrolled Germany 8-0 in an exhibition game ahead of the tournament. The stakes are much higher for the second meeting between the two teams, and the pressure will be on Germany to learn from that defeat and try to hang with the reigning champions.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from the 2026 World Juniors game between the United States and Germany. Follow along below as the U.S. plays its first game of the tournament.
MORE: How to buy 2026 World Juniors tickets
USA vs. Germany score 123FUSA33 Germany12 USA vs. Germany live updates, highlights from 2026 World Juniors
All times Eastern.
7:52 p.m. — The second period comes to an end with USA’s commanding lead restored. The U.S. out-shot Germany 16-8 in the period and scored the final two goals.
USA 6, Germany 3
7:48 p.m. GOAL — The BU connection in full force! College teammates Cole Hutson assists on a goal by Cole Eiserman to stretch the American lead to 6-3.
USA is firing on all cylinders! Cole Eiserman scores his first! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/rn62M7u09p
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2025USA 5, Germany 3
7:41 p.m. GOAL — Have a night, William Zellers! The Bruins prospect scores his second goal of the game and now has three points as he restores the USA’s lead to two. AJ Spellacy records his second assist of the night.
WILL ZELLERS HAS HIS SECOND! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/deOfUI2pQO
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2025
7:33 p.m. — The U.S. picks up its third power-play of the night on a boarding call against Germany.
Two minutes for boarding here. 😬 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/biyXPI5eGl
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2025USA 4, Germany 3
7:29 p.m. GOAL — Germany will not go away without a fight. The Germans’ third goal of the day comes 56 seconds after Zellers extended the lead, with Dustin Willhoft giving himself a two-point day and Lenny Boos assisting. The American lead it back to one.
What a response from Germany! 🔥
Lenny Boos cuts the lead to one! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/8WhSHP6zss
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2025USA 4, Germany 2
7:27 p.m. GOAL — Not only does the U.S. kill off the penalty, but the Americans extend their lead back to two on a goal from William Zellers. Zellers has a goal and an assist today, while Cole Hutson and AJ Spellacy add assists on the score.
Will Zellers knocks in the rebound, USA restores their two-goal lead! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/P7aiOyUEBp
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2025
7:21 p.m. — Germany is headed to its first power-play of the night after a slash by Chase Reid.
USA 3, Germany 2
7:19 p.m. GOAL — Here comes Germany! Simon Seidl scores less than six minutes into the second period, assisted by Dustin Willhoft, and the American lead shrinks to one.
Don’t look now, Germany is back within one. 👀
Simon Seidl tips it through Caleb Heil to make it 3-2! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/xZpijzviiC
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2025
6:54 p.m. — That’s the end of the first period, with Germany getting on the board late but the United States jumping out to an early lead. The U.S. is out-shooting Germany 14-9, though the Germans did kill off an American power-play.
USA 3, Germany 1
6:49 p.m. GOAL — Germany finally takes advantage and gets one by Heil, as Timo Kose trims the U.S. lead to 3-1 with Carlos Handel and Tobias Schwarz on the assist.
Timo Kose with the rebound to get @deb_teams on the board 👏 #WorldJuniors #IIHF pic.twitter.com/OMX6Px68X3
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 27, 2025USA 3, Germany 0
6:47 p.m. GOAL — After Germany finally gets some opportunities, the U.S. strikes again to make it 3-0! Penguins prospect Will Horcoff gets the USA’s third goal of the night, assisted by Brodie Ziemer and James Hagens.
Make it THREE 1st period goals for the States! Will Horcoff finishes it off to put Team USA up 3-0. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/FBPT47Dv9Z
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2025
6:40 p.m. — It’s now been about 10 minutes of game time since Germany’s most recent shot on goal. The early miss looms large.
USA 2, Germany 0
6:33 p.m. GOAL — Make it 2-0, United States. 2026 draft prospect Chase Reid sends one through, assisted by William Zellers and Brendan McMorrow, and the American lead doubles.
A lot of expectations on Chase Reid in this tournament, and he delivers an early goal for all those watching. 👀 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/rAsB0DAZ8C
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2025
6:32 p.m. — After the two sides spent a few minutes feeling each other out, the U.S. has produced the last five shots on goal.
USA 1, Germany 0
6:23 p.m. GOAL — Max Plante gives the U.S. an early lead! His goal is assisted by Teddy Stiga off the post and comes 5:34 into the opening period. It was Adam Kleber who got it to Stiga with a nice pass.
USA STRIKES FIRST! 🇺🇸
An incredible lead pass from Adam Kleber eventually leads to a Teddy Stiga post and a Max Plante rebound goal! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/qZrHYehlx5
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2025
6:20 p.m. — Germany’s first shot on goal was a major opportunity, but Lightning prospect Caleb Heil makes the save.
CALEB HEIL WITH THE POINT-BLANK SAVE! ✋#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/drCoaitTLH
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2025
6:14 p.m. — The puck has dropped, and the USA’s World Juniors run is underway.
6:08 p.m. — USA vs. Germany is next to get going after Finland wallops Denmark 6-2.
5:20 p.m. — Here’s an early look at USA’s lines for its World Juniors opener.
Get your lines here! 📢 #WorldJuniors
Game Preview: https://t.co/JxAeiDPhcI pic.twitter.com/7NUH0UDI9P
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 26, 2025
5:15 p.m. — Sweden opened the World Juniors with a win over Slovakia. The U.S. is hoping to join the win column against Germany this evening.
Sweden opens up the World Juniors with a win! 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/Ggbfpu0bH1
— theScore (@theScore) December 26, 2025What channel is USA vs. Germany on today?TV channels: NHL Network (U.S.) | TSN (Canada)Live stream: Fubo (U.S.) | TSN app (Canada)
USA vs. Germany will air on NHL Network in the United States and on TSN in Canada.
U.S. viewers can also stream the game on Fubo, which offers a free trial, or the TSN app in Canada.
USA vs. Germany start timeDate: Thursday, Dec. 26Time: 6 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. CT
USA and Germany will battle at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 26 from Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Friday’s contest is the first of the tournament for both the United States and Germany.
2026 World Juniors scheduleFriday, Dec. 26MatchupTime (ET)Sweden vs. Slovakia1:00 p.m.Denmark vs. Finland3:30 p.m.United States vs. Germany6:00 p.m.Canada vs. Czechia8:30 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 27MatchupTime (ET)Slovakia vs. Germany2:00 p.m.Latvia vs. Canada4:30 p.m.United States vs. Switzerland6:00 p.m.Denmark vs. Czechia8:30 p.m.Sunday, Dec. 28MatchupTime (ET)Sweden vs. Switzerland2:00 p.m.Finland vs. Latvia4:30 p.m.Monday, Dec. 29MatchupTime (ET)Germany vs. Sweden1:00 p.m.Finland vs. Czechia3:30 p.m.Slovakia vs. United States6:00 p.m.Canada vs. Denmark8:30 p.m.Tuesday, Dec. 30MatchupTime (ET)Switzerland vs. Germany2:00 p.m.Latvia vs. Denmark4:30 p.m.Wednesday, Dec. 31MatchupTime (ET)Switzerland vs. Slovakia1:00 p.m.Czechia vs. Latvia3:30 p.m.United States vs. Sweden6:00 p.m.Canada vs. Finland8:30 p.m.Friday, Jan. 2 (Playoffs: Quarterfinals & Relegation)MatchupTime (ET)Relegation Game (5th A vs. 5th B)12:30 p.m.Quarterfinal 12:00 p.m.Quarterfinal 24:30 p.m.Quarterfinal 36:00 p.m.Quarterfinal 48:30 p.m.Sunday, Jan. 4 MatchupTime (ET)Semifinal 14:30 p.m.Semifinal 28:30 p.m.Monday, Jan. 5 MatchupTime (ET)Bronze Medal Game4:30 p.m.Gold Medal Game8:30 p.m.