WORLD 2026 – New world No. 1, Switzerland must still make history

There are days that can change the destiny of a sport in an entire country. This Sunday in Switzerland belongs to this category. In Zurich, Switzerland will compete in a new world final with the hope of finally winning the first title in its history. Swiss hockey has been waiting for this moment for decades. Three finals played in the last twelve years, three missed opportunities. The most recent ones remain particularly painful: a defeat against the Czech Republic in 2024 then a setback in overtime against the United States last year. This time, however, something seems different. Since the start of the tournament, the Swiss selection has given the impression of being on a mission. The Swiss steamrolled through the group stage before sweeping away Sweden and then Norway in the finals.

The team of Jan Cadieux displays impressive balance. The attack produces at a breakneck pace, the defense limits the opposing chances and, behind it all, Leonardo Genoni achieves a championship close to perfection.

But in the locker room, no one wants to hear about caution. Selection executives believe that past failures have delivered an essential lesson: waiting and suffering is no longer an option. Switzerland wants to impose its rhythm, attack and dictate the game, even in a world final. The other Swiss weapon does not appear on any stat sheet. Since the opening of the tournament, the Swiss ice rinks have been vibrating with each Nati match. Songs come down from the stands, red flags with white crosses invade the stands and the atmosphere is reminiscent of great football evenings. The players have been repeating it for several days: the energy of the public gives them wings.

As the final approaches, a feeling wins over the supporters. If Switzerland does not win its first world title this year, at home, with this golden generation, when will it do it?

Perfect scenarios rarely exist in sport. To turn the Swiss dream into a nightmare, Finland is ready to take on the role of the villain of history. The Finns have come a long way. Since their world title in 2022, they had disappeared from the last four internationals. Many imagined them in the background. They responded on the ice. After eliminating the Czech Republic and then Canada, the Lions arrive in the final with newfound confidence and an identity as clear as ever: tactical discipline, defensive rigor and maximum efficiency in key moments. Their collective is carried by several stars capable of turning a match on their own.

The captain Alexander Barkov embodies the quiet leadership that characterizes Finnish hockey. In front of him, offensive solutions multiply, while the goalkeeper Justus Annunen confirms the country’s tradition of excellence in this position. In other words, Switzerland knows exactly what awaits it.

Tonight, only one certainty will exist. Either Switzerland will finally lift the world trophy in front of its home crowd, or Finland will remind us why it remains one of the most feared nations on the hockey planet. And a few hours earlier, Norway achieved what still seemed unimaginable a few weeks ago: getting onto a world podium. Whatever the result this evening, Switzerland will have reached an incredible milestone: it will find itself tomorrow anyway on the throne of world hockey… in the IIHF rankings. We will rejoice even more if its representatives end up with gold around their necks.