Austria eagerly await games against Latvia and Switzerland
Two wins from the opening two games of the 2026 World Championship mean Austria can almost consider their primary objective of avoiding relegation complete, even though it remains mathematically possible. The team now want more and are targeting a third win in the games against Latvia and Switzerland on Tuesday and Wednesday, both live on ORF 1 at 4:20 pm.
2 min read
“The two victories obviously help us to take the next step,” underlines Head coach Roger Bader his team’s next goal. That means achieving the third World Championship victory: "Whenever and against whomever. If we manage to do that, we'll set ourselves the next goal."
“Now the big boys are coming and we can grow into them again. We want to continue to show what we can do,” also resonates Bernd Wolf the anticipation of the upcoming games.
And Latvia is waiting on Tuesday. Memories of 2025, when we reached the quarter-finals with a 6-1 gala, automatically come back. Probably also with the opponent, about whom the Swiss legionnaire warns: "Latvia has a score to settle with us, we have to be ready. They are favorites in the game."
Latvia celebrated a 2-0 win against Germany on Sunday evening and, like Austria, is enjoying a day off today that is being used for regeneration. On Wednesday we face World Championship hosts Switzerland. A highlight game, both in terms of the expected backdrop and because of the red-white-red Swiss Legionnaires Zwerger, Wolf and Rohrer. Not to forget our Swiss head coach Roger Bader.
"I would be lying if I said it wasn't a special game for me. But I go into this game like any other. My focus is solely on my team," explains Roger Bader.
The Swiss ended Austria's successful run in the quarter-finals of the 2025 World Championship, winning 6-0 in Herning (DEN). The World Championship host started the home tournament with a 3-1 win against defending champions USA and a 4-2 win over Latvia.
Both games will be broadcast live on ORF 1 at 4:20 p.m.
2026 IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
May 15, 2026 - May 31, 2026, Zurich and Fribourg (SUI)
Defending champions: USA
Group A, Zurich: USA, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Hungary, Great Britain
Group B, Fribourg: Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia, Italy
Schedule
Latvia vs. Austria
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF 1
Austria vs. Switzerland
Wed., May 20, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF 1
Austria vs. Germany
Sat., May 23, 2026, 8:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF SPORT+
Finland vs. Austria
Sun., May 24, 2026, 8:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF SPORT+
USA vs. Austria
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF 1
Already played
Great Britain vs. Austria 2:5 (2:3, 0:2, 0:0)
Sat., May 16, 2026, 12:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena, 7,974 spectators
Goalscorers Great Britain: David Clements (16th), Liam Kirk (17th)
Goalscorers Austria: Benjamin Nissner (3rd), Peter Schneider (7th, 27th), Paul Huber (10th), Leon Wallner (34th)
Game sheet
Austria vs. Hungary 4:2 (1:1, 0:0, 3:1)
Sun., May 17, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Goalscorers Austria: Vinzenz Rohrer (6th/PP), Dominic Zwerger (47th/PP), Thimo Nickl (48th, 60th)
Goalscorers Hungary: Istvan Sofron (12./PP), Peter Vincze (54./PP)
Game sheet
Ticketing
Information about World Championship ticket sales 2026.iihfworlds.com
Link to World Championship tickets for Zurich and Fribourg
Link to individual games with Austria
Link to World Championship packages with the Austria games
