It's a great time to be a fan of Sweden as the blue-and-yellow squad heads into the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship quarter-finals atop our Power Rankings.
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / MICHELINE VELUVOLU
There’s nothing quite like the fun of New Year’s Eve hockey! And with our quarter-final matchups all set, it’s time to keep the party going with our second Power Rankings of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. Sweden – the only nation with four straight regulation wins – takes over top spot after defeating the host U.S. in a wild affair. The Canadians are hot on Sweden’s heels in second place, while the Americans find themselves third. Could we see a big shuffle after the do-or-die games on Friday? Anything is possible at the World Juniors!
Click here to check out the previous editions of the Power Rankings.
The Power Rankings are for the enjoyment of IIHF.com readers, and reflect the progress of teams during the IIHF World Junior Championship. They are distinct from the official standings and IIHF World Ranking.
The Power Rankings are for the enjoyment of IIHF.com readers, and reflect the progress of teams during the IIHF World Junior Championship. They are distinct from the official standings and IIHF World Ranking.