With excitement brewing for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, the final participants for the women's ice hockey competition will be determined this week during qualifying tournaments in Japan, Sweden, and Germany. The Ankara women's ice hockey team has already secured their spot, and as the host nation, Italy is also guaranteed entry. The stage is set for several skilled teams to vie for the remaining places, culminating their preparations for the Games slated for February 5-19, 2026.
Japan made waves by winning their berth on home ice during the Women’s Ice Hockey Final Olympic Qualification. They diced through the competition with eye-catching performances, most recently thrashing Poland 6-0 to secure first place in Group G with one game left to play. Japan's success came on the heels of beating France 7-1, showcasing their scoring prowess and placing them among the contenders at next year's Olympics.
Head coach Iizuka Yuji was pleased with his team's approach, stating, “The players were relaxed, not too nervous and in the right frame of mind.” His players seized opportunities and established momentum early, pulling away decisively when it mattered. This qualification marks Japan’s fourth consecutive participation, building on their history from previous Olympic campaigns, including finishing sixth at Beijing 2022.
Standing at the forefront of women's ice hockey are Canada and the USA, both with rich legacies. Canada, the reigning Olympic and world champion, triumphed over the USA for the gold again at the last World Championships, securing their 13th championship title after overcoming the Americans during the overtime of the final.
While Canada remains at the top, the USA is intent on reclaiming glory. Their route won't be easy, as they grapple with teams close behind; Finland and Czechia have both bolstered their positions as serious competitors. Finland consistently ranks third globally and recently clinched bronze by overcoming Czechia at the World Championship, showing they're not to be overlooked.
Italy, competing on home soil for the first time since their return to the Olympic stage, is also under the spotlight. After two decades away, they will enter the Games eager to improve on their previous standings, where they finished eighth at Torino 2006. Given the significant boost from playing on home ice, expectations will be high as they seek to make their mark.
The road to Milano Cortina 2026 is increasingly competitive. Teams such as Czechia and Switzerland hope to break free from mid-table obscurity, proving they can also make their mark. With the Czech team already accumulating experience, having reached the semi-finals at the last World Championships, the stakes are rising as these teams prepare for the challenge.
Despite earlier struggles, the optimism from Japanese players remains strong, with team captain Koike Shiori sharing her excitement about returning to the Olympics. Reflecting on the pressure she felt, she said, "Initially, as captain, there was a lot of pressure and responsibility." Wajima Yumeka echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team’s dedication through challenging times: "This past year, there were good times, hard times. But we never lost sight of our goal, which was to win on this stage right here." Such unity and focus will be key as they head to Milan.
Foreign spectators and fans alike are eagerly awaiting the full roster to confirm which teams will continue to rise through the ranks of women's ice hockey. France’s national team hopes to capitalize on their season and recover from their earlier loss against Japan, as they prepare for the final assignments. Head coach Gregory Tarle mentioned, "We didn’t make a bad game, but I think Japan played very well with the puck and made good passes. They are very good in front of the net and score goals. For sure, seven goals is a big difference but we had to be ready for the next game..." How France responds will be telling as the tournament progresses.
The upcoming weeks are filled with anticipation as final matches and qualifications decide who will take their place among the best of the best at the 2026 Olympics. With teams pushing their limits and new challengers rising, women’s ice hockey is set to captivate audiences worldwide.