Main Story

Canada heads into the 2026 women’s world championship with a revamped roster and new leadership, beginning a fresh cycle after the Milan Olympics. With captain Marie-Philip Poulin recovering from knee surgery and several veteran stars absent, co-captains Laura Stacey and Renata Fast will lead a younger team featuring seven senior-team debutants. Reigning Olympic and world champion Team USA remains the team to beat.

By the Numbers
  • Nov. 6-16: Tournament dates in Denmark.
  • 10: Nations competing in two groups.
  • 7: Canadian players making their senior international debuts.
  • 20: U.S. players returning from the Milan Olympic roster.
  • 4: Consecutive years in which Canada and the U.S. have alternated world championship titles.
Yes, But

Canada’s turnover creates room for emerging talent, but replacing Poulin’s play and leadership is a major challenge. The Americans arrive with a largely familiar roster after a dominant Olympic run, though they will also be without key veterans Kendall Coyne Schofield and Britta Curl-Salemme.

State of Play
  • Canada opens against Sweden on Nov. 6 and is favored to top Group B.
  • Stacey and Fast will share the captaincy; Kristin O’Neill is an alternate captain.
  • Canada and the U.S. are set to wear IIHF-provided sweaters amid a commercial rights dispute.
  • Czechia, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden are among the contenders for the other medal-round spots.
What’s Next

Round-robin play begins Nov. 6, with quarterfinals on Nov. 13, semifinals on Nov. 15 and the gold-medal game on Nov. 16. Canada’s new roster will be tested early against Sweden and later against Finland, while the U.S. looks to defend its title.

Bottom Line

This tournament is an early test of Canada’s next generation—and of whether a new leadership group can close the gap with a U.S. team that has set the standard.