For the first time in history, all four nations participating in the win2day ICE Hockey League – Austria, Italy, Hungary and Slovenia – are taking part in an A World Cup. At the World Cup in Switzerland (May 15th to 31st, 2026), all four teams are fighting to stay in the top division – and are going into the tournament with very different but intensive preparation programs.
The starting point is clear: While established nations such as Finland, Canada, the USA and Sweden are regularly among the world elite, for the four ICE nations it is primarily about asserting themselves at this level. The significance of this constellation is nevertheless enormous – never before have the nations of the win2day ICE Hockey League and their players been so strongly represented on the largest international stage.
Austria with a broad ICE core
Austria is entering the final preparation phase with a 28-man squad, with 23 players coming from the win2day ICE Hockey League. The largest share is made up of the EC Red Bull Salzburg (7 players) and the EC-KAC (6 players), followed by the Moser Medical Graz99ers (4) and the Vienna Capitals (3).
In terms of sport, the preparation was varied but instructive. Wins against Latvia (4:3) and Italy (3:2) are offset by defeats against Germany (3:4, 2:5) and clear results against the Czech Republic. The Austrians will play their last test match against Slovenia in Klagenfurt on May 9th before heading to the World Cup.
At the start of the World Cup, Austria will face Great Britain on May 16th. Particularly explosive: just one day later, the duel against Hungary was the first direct meeting between two ICE nations. Further challenges await with Switzerland, Germany, Finland and the USA, among others.
Italy with intensive testing phase
Italy is relying on a high number of games and broad squad rotation in preparation. The opening camp in Bolzano was followed by test matches against Austria (2:3), France (two defeats) and most recently against Great Britain. There are two more tests against the British on May 10th and 12th.
The squad currently consists of around 30 players and is heavily influenced by players from the win2day ICE Hockey League – in particular from HCB Südtirol Alperia and HC Falkensteiner Pustertal, whose block of players will join the national team after the league final.
A real highlight awaits right at the start of World Cup Group B: Italy will face Canada on May 16th. Other opponents include Sweden, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Particularly interesting from ICE’s point of view: There will be a direct duel with Slovenia on May 25th.
Hungary with a tight schedule
Hungary is pursuing particularly intensive preparation with a large number of test matches. Defeats against Denmark (4:7), Norway (1:2) and Switzerland show that the team is regularly tested against more highly rated opponents. At the same time, there were also individual successes, such as against Poland.
A highlight of the preparation is the final test match against Canada, which serves as the final benchmark before the World Cup.
In World Cup Group A, Hungary will face, among others, Finland, Germany and the USA. The direct ICE duel against Austria on May 17th could already point the way in the fight to stay in the league.
Slovenia relies on continuity
Slovenia traditionally relies on a well-rehearsed core and compact preparation. After test matches against Poland and a tournament block in Tychy (including against Kazakhstan), there are two more matches in the final phase: against Hungary (May 7th) and Austria (May 9th).
Head coach Edo Terglav’s team will then travel to the World Cup with a clear structure, where they will meet, among others, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Canada in Group B. Here too, the game against Italy on May 25th will be a direct duel between two ICE nations.
Stage Switzerland
The World Cup takes place in Switzerland and is played in Zurich (Swiss Life Arena) and Friborg. A total of 16 nations are fighting in two groups of eight for a place in the quarter-finals – while the last teams in each group have to go to Division I.
ice.hockey , Image: ÖEHV-Manfred Szieber
