Great Britain suffered an early relegation from the 2026 World Cup after a crushing defeat to Latvia in the sixth round (0:6).
Since the start of the season in the elite division of the 2026 IIHF World Championship, the British have lost all six matches in regulation time by a combined goal difference of 4:29. They suffered their biggest defeat of the tournament against Latvia (so far – 0:5 against Hungary).
The result means that Great Britain will finish the main round of the tournament in last place in Group A. The team has one match left to play, but the gap to Hungary is already three points, and the British were defeated in the head-to-head match.
World Cup 2026: Group A standings
- Switzerland — 18 points (6 matches), +30 (goal difference)
- Finland — 15 (5), +19
- Austria — 9 (5), 14:20
- Latvia — 9 (6), 16:16
- Germany — 7 (6), 17:19
- USA — 5 (5), 14:17
- Hungary — 3 (5), 4:10
- Great Britain — 0 (6), 4:29
Great Britain was relegated to Division I in its first season after returning to the elite. In 2025, the team became the winner of Group IA, in particular, in the first round they beat Ukraine in a shootout (4:3).
The main underdog in Group B will be determined in the final round. After six matches, Italy is in last place, having lost to Denmark in a penalty shootout (2:3) and scored their first point at the 2026 World Cup after five regular-time losses.
One of the two vacant spots in the elite of the 2027 World Ice Hockey Championship will be occupied by the Ukrainian national team, which guaranteed its exit from Group IA in second place and is returning to the top level for the first time in 20 years. Kazakhstan is also returning to the highest division.