2026 IIHF World Junior Championship: Czech Republic takes Silver – Vojtech Cihar named tournament MVP
Coach Patrik Augusta’s team fought until the very end but ultimately fell to Sweden 4–2 in the final
The Czech Republic battled valiantly in the World Championship final in the USA but had to concede defeat to Sweden 4–2. Despite the final loss, Coach Patrik Augusta’s team demonstrated the strength of the Czech youth programme.
Sweden secured the gold medal in a thrilling final at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in the USA. It marks Sweden’s third junior world title after 1981 and 2012 – and their fifth medal in the last nine years.
Czech Republic’s winning run in the playoffs ended only in the final. Coach Patrik Augusta’s team lost 4–2 to Sweden but repeated last year’s success by claiming the silver medal. This means the Czech team has now won a World Championship medal for the fourth consecutive time (silver, bronze, bronze, silver), highlighting that the national programme has returned stronger after a period of decline. In previous final appearances, the Czech Republic triumphed twice: in 2000 in Skellefteå (Sweden) 1–0 against Russia, and in 2001 in Moscow (Russia) 2–1 against Finland.
Highlights: Gold Medal Game – Sweden vs Czechia | 2026 IIHF World Juniors
After a shorter recovery interval following the semi-final, the Czechs found they lacked the energy they had shown against Canada. Sweden, on the other hand, benefited from strong special teams, solid defensive work in the middle period, and numerous blocked shots.
After Sweden held a clear 3–0 lead until late in the game, the Czech team gave everything in the final moments and scored with just 23.3 seconds remaining to make it 2–3. However, with an empty-net goal eight seconds from the end, Sweden sealed the 4–2 victory. Sweden finished the tournament with seven wins and no defeats, crowned as deserved world champions.
Final – 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship
Sweden vs. Czech Republic 4–2 (1–0, 1–0, 2–2)
Goals: 15. Juustovaara Karlsson, 30. Eklund, 44. Boumedienne, 60. Stenberg – 58. A. Jiříček, 60. Kubiesa
Individual Awards and All-Star Team
After the final, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced the individual award winners and the tournament All-Star Team. The 18-year-old Czech forward Vojtech Cihar was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP). With 12 points, he was the top scorer for his team. He received the Murray-Costello MVP Award, named after the late IIHF Hall of Fame member, long-time IIHF Council member, and former President of Hockey Canada.
IIHF Directorate Awards
Best Goaltender: Love Harenstam, Sweden
Best Defenceman: Adam Jiříček, Czech Republic
Best Forward: Anton Frondell, Sweden
Media All-Star Team & MVP
Goaltender: Love Harenstam, Sweden
Defenceman: Zayne Parekh, Canada
Defenceman: Tomas Galvas, Czech Republic
Forward: Michael Hage, Canada
Forward: Anton Frondell, Sweden
Forward: Vojtech Cihar, Czech Republic
Most Valuable Player (MVP): Vojtech Cihar, Czech Republic
2026 IIHF World Junior Championship
26 December 2025 to 5 January 2026 | USA
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