The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, a prestigious annual ice hockey tournament featuring the world’s best under-20 players, is set to unfold in Ottawa, Canada, marking a return to the city that last hosted the event in 2009. The tournament commences on Boxing Day, December 26th, and culminates with the bronze medal and gold medal games on January 5th, coinciding with Twelfth Night. Ottawa will provide the backdrop for intense competition as young hockey stars from around the globe vie for the coveted world championship title.
The participating teams are divided into two groups. Group A comprises powerhouse nations like the USA, Canada, and Finland, alongside Germany and Latvia. Group B features Sweden, Czechia, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Kazakhstan. The preliminary round robin within each group will determine which teams advance to the knockout stage. The top four teams from each group will progress to the quarterfinals, while the two fifth-placed teams will face off in a relegation game. The winner of this crucial match secures their place in the top division for the following year, while the loser faces relegation.
Sweden’s group stage schedule includes matches against Slovakia on December 26th, Kazakhstan on December 27th, Switzerland on December 29th, and Czechia on December 31st. All times listed are in Swedish local time. The team will be aiming to build momentum and secure a strong position in the group standings before entering the high-stakes knockout phase. The Swedish team hopes to replicate or improve upon their silver medal performance at the 2024 tournament held in Gothenburg.
The tournament’s knockout stage commences with the quarterfinals on January 2nd. The group winners will face the fourth-placed teams from the opposite group, while the second-placed teams will clash with the third-placed teams. The winners of these quarterfinal matchups will then proceed to the semifinals on January 4th, setting the stage for the final and bronze medal games on January 5th. The intensity and pressure will undoubtedly escalate as the tournament progresses, with each game carrying greater significance.
Sweden’s recent performance in the 2024 World Junior Championship, held on home ice in Gothenburg, was marked by both triumph and disappointment. The team captivated a passionate home crowd, advancing all the way to the final after thrilling victories in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. They overcame Switzerland 3-2 in overtime and then defeated Czechia 5-2. However, their championship aspirations were thwarted by a dominant USA team in the final. The Americans scored three unanswered goals in the third period to secure a 6-2 victory, leaving Sweden with a silver medal. This experience will undoubtedly fuel their determination in the 2025 tournament.
Historically, Sweden has captured two World Junior Championship gold medals. Their first triumph came in 1981, followed by a long wait until 2012 when they claimed their second gold, with Mika Zibanejad playing a pivotal role. Since their 2012 victory, Sweden has reached the final four times – in 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2024 – but the elusive third gold medal remains a target. The 2014 final against Finland in Malmö was particularly heartbreaking, with Finland’s Rasmus Ristolainen scoring the winning goal in overtime. This historical context adds to the weight of expectation and the desire to finally break through and claim another gold medal. Canada has been the dominant force in recent years, winning gold in 2020, 2022, and 2023, while the USA secured the title in 2021 and 2024.
Canada leads the all-time medal count with an impressive 35 medals, followed by Russia with 23 (excluding the 14 won as the Soviet Union). Sweden sits in third place with 21 medals, comprised of two golds, twelve silvers, and seven bronzes. This year, the Swedish team will be guided by head coach Magnus Hävelid, who is embarking on his third World Junior Championship campaign, assisted by returning assistant coach Gereon Dahlgren. A new addition to the coaching staff is former NHL defenseman Nicklas Grossmann, who serves as an assistant coach for Södertälje SK. Grossmann brings valuable experience, having participated in the 2005 World Juniors as a player. Swedish television coverage of the tournament will be shared between SVT and Viaplay, with each broadcaster airing two of Sweden’s group stage games, as well as several other matches featuring other nations. The stage is set for compelling competition, national pride, and the pursuit of hockey glory at the 2025 World Junior Championship.
