Czech Republic Launches 2026 World Championship Prep with Germany Series

The Czech national ice hockey team is officially kicking off its preparations for the 2026 World Championship, starting with a high-stakes exhibition series against Germany. The action begins on April 16, 2026, with the team taking the ice in Karlovy Vary for a two-game set against the Germans on April 16 and 17.

This series marks a critical evaluation period for head coach Radim Rulík, who has confirmed he will step down from his position following the conclusion of the upcoming championship. Rulík is currently working with four lines, though he indicated the roster may expand to five as the team progresses through its training camps. While the squad is shaping up, Rulík noted that a trio of players from the NHL have already declined invitations for the tournament.

The series also serves as a debut platform for several fresh faces. Defenseman Tomáš Galvas and forwards Jakub Konečný, Marcel Marcel, and Adam Měchura are all set to make their first appearances for the national team. The goaltending duties for the Karlovy Vary stretch will be split, with Petr Kváča starting on Thursday, April 16, followed by the debut of Adam Brízgala on Friday, April 17.

Assistant coach Jiří Kalous emphasized a commitment to a disciplined, efficient style of play. According to Kalous, the primary focus is on refining the team’s game system, winning personal battles, and dominating the area in front of the crease on both ends of the ice. The coaching staff is pushing for excellence in defensive “box outs” and rapid counter-attacks to create offensive pressure.

Following the clashes in Karlovy Vary, the team’s road to the championship continues with a training camp in Jihlava. The squad will then move to České Budějovice for the Euro Hockey Tour (EHT) before heading to Sweden for a final EHT event to fine-tune their form.

All this preparation leads to the 89th IIHF World Championship, which will be hosted by Switzerland from May 15 to May 31, 2026. The tournament will be split between two cities, Zurich and Fribourg, with games held at the Swiss Life Arena and the BCF Arena. This marks the first time Switzerland has hosted the event in 17 years, following a cancelled 2020 tournament due to the pandemic.

The 2026 championship will feature 16 participating nations competing in 64 games. Great Britain and Italy have already qualified via Division 1A. However, the tournament will maintain the existing ban on the national teams of Russia and Belarus. Fans can follow the journey and monitor Rulík’s final roster selections as the team navigates its rigorous preparation schedule.

With a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh talent, the Czech Republic aims to build momentum in Karlovy Vary to secure a podium finish in Switzerland this May. For more details on the squad and who will ultimately make the trip to the World Championship, the upcoming friendly matches will provide the first real glimpse of the team’s trajectory.

For real-time updates, fans can follow the Czech Republic vs. Germany live coverage.