Dubas Leads 23-Player Canada Group for 2026 World Championship Hockey Canada Roster
Hockey Canada’s world championship hockey canada roster is set at 23 players for the 2026 IIHF World Championship, giving Canada its group for a tournament in Zürich and Fribourg, Switzerland, from May 15 to May 31. The list brings together three goaltenders, eight defencemen and 12 forwards.
Kyle Dubas said the roster “combines players who have represented Canada at the very highest level with young players who have the potential to be impact players for Team Canada for years to come, and veteran players with excellent national men’s team and Stanley Cup experience that will provide guidance and leadership.” That mix is the clearest sign of how Canada is building for both the two-week event and the longer view.
Dubas On Canada Mix
Dubas also called the 2026 Men’s Worlds “a great opportunity for Canada to compete against the best nations in the world,” and said the group expects to earn a chance to play for gold in Switzerland. The roster was selected by Brad Treliving and Jason Spezza, with support from Dubas and Scott Salmond.
Gregory Campbell, Andrew Cogliano and head coach Misha Donskov also assisted with player selections. Two Olympic medallists, John Tavares and Macklin Celebrini, are among the 23 players, and 12 of the rostered players have previously suited up for Canada at the senior men’s world championship.
Switzerland Schedule Set
Canada will practice at Accor Arena in Paris starting on Friday before heading into pre-tournament games against France on May 10 and Hungary on May 13. The schedule moves quickly from preparation to pressure, with Sweden waiting in the opener on May 15.
After that, Canada will face Italy, Denmark, Norway, Slovenia, Slovakia and Czechia before medal games begin on May 31. Fourteen players on the roster have also played for Canada at the world junior championship level, giving the team a blend of senior tournament experience and younger international pedigree.
Canada’s Medal Standard
The roster lands against a long Canadian record at this event. Since 1931, Canada has collected 51 world championship medals, including 28 gold, 16 silver and seven bronze.
That history now sits behind a roster built for a short runway: training in Paris, two tune-up games, then Sweden on May 15. For this group, the first test arrives before the tournament even starts taking shape.
