<p>Folks, aside from playing for the Stanley Cup, one of the most exciting things that can happen for a player in the current National Hockey League landscape is going to the Olympics. An Olympic gold medal in hockey is up there with a Cup in terms of solidifying your Hockey Hall of Fame case – just ask two-time gold medallist and first ballot Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.</p>
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<p>Starting on Thursday, the final three spots for the 2026 Olympic men&#8217;s hockey tournament in Italy will be decided. And Calgary Flames forward Martin Pospisil, fresh off a breakout campaign with the Flames in 2023-24, will be representing Slovakia as they attempt to return to the Olympics.</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s a look at what to expect over the next few days.</p>
<h1>The 2026 qualifiers</h1>
<p>12 teams will be part of the 2026 men&#8217;s tournament.</p>
<ul>
<li>Automatically qualifying is Italy as the host team.</li>
<li>The eight highest-ranked teams in the 2023 IIHF World Rankings also qualify automatically, which is how Canada, Finland, Russia*, the United States, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Czechia get in.</li>
<li>The last three spots go to the three winning teams from these qualifying tournaments.</li>
</ul>
<p><em>However</em>, you may have read the name &#8220;Russia&#8221; and went &#8220;Hey, I thought they&#8217;re not allowed to participate in IIHF tournaments?&#8221; And that&#8217;s true, but only on a year-to-year basis. For instance, Russia and Belarus were booted out of the 2024-25 IIHF tournaments back in February. The presumption is that the IIHF will make a determination in early 2025 whether Russia (and Belarus) will be allowed into 2025-26 tournaments.</p>
<p>If Russia isn&#8217;t allowed back in for 2025-26 tournaments, then based on how Belarus&#8217; absence was treated for the final qualification round, we would likely see the highest-ranked second-place team from these tournaments qualify for the Olympics in Russia&#8217;s place. (<em>Hungary advanced to the final qualifying round because they had the most standings points of the second-place teams in the previous round.</em>)</p>
<h1>Group D</h1>
<h2><strong>Slovakia<br />
</strong></h2>
<p>IIHF rank: 9th</p>
<p>Olympic appearances since 2000: 2022 (won bronze), 2018, 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002</p>
<p>NHLers/prospects: G Samuel Hlavaj (MIN), D Samuel Knazko (CBJ), D Patrick Koch (UTA), D Simon Nemec (NJ), D Martin Fehervary (WSH), F Milos Kelemen (UTA), F Martin Pospisil (CGY), F Pavol Regenda (ANA), F Adam Sykora (NYR), F Tomas Tatar (NJ)</p>
<h2><strong>Austria<br />
</strong></h2>
<p>IIHF rank: 13th</p>
<p>Olympic appearances since 2000: 2014, 2002</p>
<p>NHLers/prospects: D David Reinbacher (MTL), F Vinzenz Rohrer (MTL), F Marco Kasper (DET)</p>
<h2><strong>Kazakhstan</strong></h2>
<p>IIHF rank: 15th</p>
<p>Olympic appearances since 2000: 2006</p>
<p>NHLers/prospects: none</p>
<h2><strong>Hungary</strong></h2>
<p>IIHF rank: 18th</p>
<p>Olympic appearances since 2000: none</p>
<p>NHLers/prospects: none</p>
<h2><strong>Games</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>Aug. 29: Kazakhstan vs. Hungary (6 a.m. MT), Slovakia vs. Austria (10 a.m. MT)</li>
<li>Aug. 30: Kazakhstan vs. Austria (6 a.m. MT), Slovakia vs. Hungary (10 a.m. MT)</li>
<li>Sept. 1: Austria vs. Hungary (6 a.m. MT): Slovakia vs. Kazakhstan (10 a.m. MT)</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/ogqmd/static/62092/live_streaming">Streaming link (IIHF)</a></p>
<p>Slovakia qualified in 2022 through this tournament process, then managed to win a bronze medal (in one of the cooler stories we&#8217;ve seen on the international level in awhile). They should be considered the favourites to qualify, but keep an eye on Austria.</p>
<h1>Group E</h1>
<h2><strong>Latvia</strong></h2>
<p>IIHF rank: 10th</p>
<p>Olympic appearances since 2000: 2022, 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002</p>
<p>NHLers/prospects: D Uvis Balinskis (FLA), F Dans Locmelis (BOS), F Martins Dzierkals (VGK), F Rodrigo Abols (PHI), F Teddy Blueger (LAT), F Zemgus Girgensons (TB)</p>
<h2><strong>France</strong></h2>
<p>IIHF rank: 14th</p>
<p>Olympic appearances since 2000: 2002</p>
<p>NHLers/prospects: G Antoine Keller (WSH), F Pierrick Dube (WSH), F Alexandre Texier (STL)</p>
<h2><strong>Slovenia</strong></h2>
<p>IIHF rank: 19th</p>
<p>Olympic appearances since 2000: 2018, 2014</p>
<p>NHLers/prospects: none</p>
<h2><strong>Ukraine</strong></h2>
<p>IIHF rank: 27th</p>
<p>Olympic appearances since 2000: 2002</p>
<p>NHLers/prospects: D Artur Cholach (VGK)</p>
<h2><strong>Games</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>Aug. 29: France vs. Ukraine (7 a.m. MT), Latvia vs. Slovenia (11 a.m. MT)</li>
<li>Aug. 30: France vs. Slovenia (7 a.m. MT), Latvia vs. Ukraine (11 a.m. MT)</li>
<li>Sept. 1: Slovenia vs. Ukraine (4 a.m. MT), Latvia vs. France (8 a.m. MT)</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/ogqme/static/62098/live_streaming">Streaming link (IIHF)</a></p>
<p>First off, how cool would it be if Ukraine managed to qualify for the Olympics? Based on their placement relative to the other teams we wouldn&#8217;t expect it – we would project Latvia in first and France or Slovenia in second – but crazier things have happened. Look for France to try to make a statement in advance of qualifying as hosts in 2030&#8217;s games.</p>
<h1>Group F</h1>
<h2><strong>Denmark</strong></h2>
<p>IIHF rank: 11th</p>
<p>Olympic appearances since 2000: 2022</p>
<p>NHLers/prospects: G Frederik Andersen (CAR), G Mads Sogaard (OTT) F Nikolaj Ehlers (WPG), F Oliver Bjorkstrand (SEA), F Lars Eller (PIT), F Jonas Rondbjerg (VGK)</p>
<h2><strong>Norway</strong></h2>
<p>IIHF rank: 12th</p>
<p>Olympic appearances: 2018, 2014, 2010</p>
<p>NHLers/prospects: D Emil Lilleberg (TBL), D Stian Solberg (ANA), F Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (DET), F Emilio Pettersen (DAL), F Noah Steen (TBL), F Mats Zuccarello (MIN)</p>
<h2><strong>Great Britain</strong></h2>
<p>IIHF rank: 17th</p>
<p>Olympic appearances: none</p>
<p>NHLers/prospects: none</p>
<h2><strong>Japan</strong></h2>
<p>IIHF rank: 24th</p>
<p>Olympic appearances: none</p>
<p>NHLers/prospects: none</p>
<h2><strong>Games</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>Aug. 29: Norway vs. Japan (7:30 a.m. MT), Denmark vs. Great Britain (11:30 a.m. MT)</li>
<li>Aug. 30: Norway vs. Great Britain (7:30 a.m. MT), Denmark vs. Japan (11:30 a.m. MT)</li>
<li>Sept. 1: Japan vs. Great Britain (4:30 a.m. MT), Denmark vs. Norway (8:30 a.m. MT)</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/ogqmf/static/62104/live_streaming">Streaming link (IIHF)</a></p>
<p>This group is a battle between Denmark and Norway. It&#8217;s basically a coin-flip, with Denmark favoured ever-so-slightly.</p>
<p><em><strong>Which countries do you expect to qualify for the Olympics? How do you think Pospisil will perform in the upcoming tournament? Let us know in the comments!</strong></em></p>


Folks, aside from playing for the Stanley Cup, one of the most exciting things that can happen for a player in the current National Hockey League landscape is going to the Olympics. An Olympic gold medal in hockey is up there with a Cup in terms of solidifying your Hockey Hall of Fame case – just ask two-time gold medallist and first ballot Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.
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Starting on Thursday, the final three spots for the 2026 Olympic men's hockey tournament in Italy will be decided. And Calgary Flames forward Martin Pospisil, fresh off a breakout campaign with the Flames in 2023-24, will be representing Slovakia as they attempt to return to the Olympics.

Here's a look at what to expect over the next few days.
<h1>The 2026 qualifiers</h1>
12 teams will be part of the 2026 men's tournament.
<ul>
 	<li>Automatically qualifying is Italy as the host team.</li>
 	<li>The eight highest-ranked teams in the 2023 IIHF World Rankings also qualify automatically, which is how Canada, Finland, Russia*, the United States, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Czechia get in.</li>
 	<li>The last three spots go to the three winning teams from these qualifying tournaments.</li>
</ul>
<em>However</em>, you may have read the name "Russia" and went "Hey, I thought they're not allowed to participate in IIHF tournaments?" And that's true, but only on a year-to-year basis. For instance, Russia and Belarus were booted out of the 2024-25 IIHF tournaments back in February. The presumption is that the IIHF will make a determination in early 2025 whether Russia (and Belarus) will be allowed into 2025-26 tournaments.

If Russia isn't allowed back in for 2025-26 tournaments, then based on how Belarus' absence was treated for the final qualification round, we would likely see the highest-ranked second-place team from these tournaments qualify for the Olympics in Russia's place. (<em>Hungary advanced to the final qualifying round because they had the most standings points of the second-place teams in the previous round.</em>)
<h1>Group D</h1>
<h2><strong>Slovakia
</strong></h2>
IIHF rank: 9th

Olympic appearances since 2000: 2022 (won bronze), 2018, 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002

NHLers/prospects: G Samuel Hlavaj (MIN), D Samuel Knazko (CBJ), D Patrick Koch (UTA), D Simon Nemec (NJ), D Martin Fehervary (WSH), F Milos Kelemen (UTA), F Martin Pospisil (CGY), F Pavol Regenda (ANA), F Adam Sykora (NYR), F Tomas Tatar (NJ)
<h2><strong>Austria
</strong></h2>
IIHF rank: 13th

Olympic appearances since 2000: 2014, 2002

NHLers/prospects: D David Reinbacher (MTL), F Vinzenz Rohrer (MTL), F Marco Kasper (DET)
<h2><strong>Kazakhstan</strong></h2>
IIHF rank: 15th

Olympic appearances since 2000: 2006

NHLers/prospects: none
<h2><strong>Hungary</strong></h2>
IIHF rank: 18th

Olympic appearances since 2000: none

NHLers/prospects: none
<h2><strong>Games</strong></h2>
<ul>
 	<li>Aug. 29: Kazakhstan vs. Hungary (6 a.m. MT), Slovakia vs. Austria (10 a.m. MT)</li>
 	<li>Aug. 30: Kazakhstan vs. Austria (6 a.m. MT), Slovakia vs. Hungary (10 a.m. MT)</li>
 	<li>Sept. 1: Austria vs. Hungary (6 a.m. MT): Slovakia vs. Kazakhstan (10 a.m. MT)</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/ogqmd/static/62092/live_streaming">Streaming link (IIHF)</a>

Slovakia qualified in 2022 through this tournament process, then managed to win a bronze medal (in one of the cooler stories we've seen on the international level in awhile). They should be considered the favourites to qualify, but keep an eye on Austria.
<h1>Group E</h1>
<h2><strong>Latvia</strong></h2>
IIHF rank: 10th

Olympic appearances since 2000: 2022, 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002

NHLers/prospects: D Uvis Balinskis (FLA), F Dans Locmelis (BOS), F Martins Dzierkals (VGK), F Rodrigo Abols (PHI), F Teddy Blueger (LAT), F Zemgus Girgensons (TB)
<h2><strong>France</strong></h2>
IIHF rank: 14th

Olympic appearances since 2000: 2002

NHLers/prospects: G Antoine Keller (WSH), F Pierrick Dube (WSH), F Alexandre Texier (STL)
<h2><strong>Slovenia</strong></h2>
IIHF rank: 19th

Olympic appearances since 2000: 2018, 2014

NHLers/prospects: none
<h2><strong>Ukraine</strong></h2>
IIHF rank: 27th

Olympic appearances since 2000: 2002

NHLers/prospects: D Artur Cholach (VGK)
<h2><strong>Games</strong></h2>
<ul>
 	<li>Aug. 29: France vs. Ukraine (7 a.m. MT), Latvia vs. Slovenia (11 a.m. MT)</li>
 	<li>Aug. 30: France vs. Slovenia (7 a.m. MT), Latvia vs. Ukraine (11 a.m. MT)</li>
 	<li>Sept. 1: Slovenia vs. Ukraine (4 a.m. MT), Latvia vs. France (8 a.m. MT)</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/ogqme/static/62098/live_streaming">Streaming link (IIHF)</a>

First off, how cool would it be if Ukraine managed to qualify for the Olympics? Based on their placement relative to the other teams we wouldn't expect it – we would project Latvia in first and France or Slovenia in second – but crazier things have happened. Look for France to try to make a statement in advance of qualifying as hosts in 2030's games.
<h1>Group F</h1>
<h2><strong>Denmark</strong></h2>
IIHF rank: 11th

Olympic appearances since 2000: 2022

NHLers/prospects: G Frederik Andersen (CAR), G Mads Sogaard (OTT) F Nikolaj Ehlers (WPG), F Oliver Bjorkstrand (SEA), F Lars Eller (PIT), F Jonas Rondbjerg (VGK)
<h2><strong>Norway</strong></h2>
IIHF rank: 12th

Olympic appearances: 2018, 2014, 2010

NHLers/prospects: D Emil Lilleberg (TBL), D Stian Solberg (ANA), F Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (DET), F Emilio Pettersen (DAL), F Noah Steen (TBL), F Mats Zuccarello (MIN)
<h2><strong>Great Britain</strong></h2>
IIHF rank: 17th

Olympic appearances: none

NHLers/prospects: none
<h2><strong>Japan</strong></h2>
IIHF rank: 24th

Olympic appearances: none

NHLers/prospects: none
<h2><strong>Games</strong></h2>
<ul>
 	<li>Aug. 29: Norway vs. Japan (7:30 a.m. MT), Denmark vs. Great Britain (11:30 a.m. MT)</li>
 	<li>Aug. 30: Norway vs. Great Britain (7:30 a.m. MT), Denmark vs. Japan (11:30 a.m. MT)</li>
 	<li>Sept. 1: Japan vs. Great Britain (4:30 a.m. MT), Denmark vs. Norway (8:30 a.m. MT)</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/ogqmf/static/62104/live_streaming">Streaming link (IIHF)</a>

This group is a battle between Denmark and Norway. It's basically a coin-flip, with Denmark favoured ever-so-slightly.

<em><strong>Which countries do you expect to qualify for the Olympics? How do you think Pospisil will perform in the upcoming tournament? Let us know in the comments!</strong></em>

Martin Pospisil’s journey to the Olympics: previewing the 2026 Olympic men’s qualifying tournaments

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