Marco Rossi and Marco Kasper not released for the World Cham­pi­onship

"Both called me personally to let me know that they will miss the World Championship. That is, of course, unfortunate, but it does not change our goals. We wish them both a good recovery over the coming months and a strong 2026/2027 season," explains Head Coach Roger Bader.

"It was a very exciting season this year, but also a very demanding one. It certainly was not easy. I broke my foot in October and then had a tough and difficult season playing through it. After some time, I was no longer able to continue playing with the fracture, had to take a longer break, came back, was traded and then injured myself again in the same place. That was really very tough and not easy. It is a great shame that I am not at 100 per cent. The World Championship with the national team would certainly have been a highlight, especially in Zurich, where I spent many years of my youth. It is a great shame, but health always comes first. Naturally, I wish the team all the best and will of course follow the games. The team's first objective is to stay in the top division. In recent years, we have proven that we can belong in the top division, compete there and cause surprises. Therefore, I believe it is important that we go out there with a lot of pride and passion and show that we are good ice hockey players too. For me, it is now about recovering, taking some time away from ice hockey and away from the skates so that I can get fit again. I do not know how long that will take, but hopefully it will be quick so that I can get back to 100 per cent and start summer training," explains Marco Rossi.

Also Marco Kasper provides an insight into his situation: "My knee has been causing me problems for some time, but the true extent was only determined after the season by an MRI scan. At the moment, I have to walk around on crutches and wear a brace on my knee. There will be a lot of rehabilitation in the coming weeks so that I can train hard again in the summer and get going again for the coming season. I would have loved to be part of the World Championship. It always makes me proud to play for Austria and take part in a tournament with the boys. I have already been in contact with some of the boys. It will certainly be a really good tournament again. I think everyone knows that staying in the top division is the most important thing. Naturally, I will follow the games. It will certainly be very cool again and I would have loved to be there. For now, I first have to make sure that my knee gets better so that I can get going again at full strength."

The national team is currently in the third of a total of five weeks of preparation for the World Championship and will face Czechia this week.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PREPARATION

Austria vs. Czechia
Thu, 23 April 2026, 19:00, Steffl Arena Vienna
Live on ORF SPORT +

Czechia vs. Austria
Fri, 24 April 2026, 17:00, Jihlava (CZE)

Further World Championship preparation
30.04, 19:00, Zell am See: Austria vs. Germany
02.05, 17:00, Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER): Germany vs. Austria
09.05, 16:20, Klagenfurt: Austria vs. Slovenia
ÖEHV ticket shop

Already played
Latvia vs. Austria 3:4 (0:1, 3:3, 0:0)
Wed, 8 April 2026, 18:30, Riga (LAT)
Austria goalscorers: Maximilian Rebernig (9), Benjamin Nissner (21), Luca Erne (29), Lucas Thaler (39/PP)
Latvia goalscorers: Karlis Ozolins (30), Glebs Prohorenkovs (33/PP), Deniss Smirnovs (36)
Game Sheet

Latvia vs. Austria 1:0 (0:0, 0:0, 1:0)
Thu, 9 April 2026, 18:30, Riga (LAT)
Latvia goalscorer: Oskars Lapinski (51)
Game Sheet

Austria vs. Italy 3:2 SO (0:0, 2:1, 0:1, 1:0)
Thu, 16 April 2026, 19:00, Dornbirn
Austria goalscorers: Benjamin Nissner (27, 29/PP), Peter Schneider (65)
Italy goalscorers: Bryce Misley (30), Tommaso De Luca (55)
Game Sheet

2026 IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

15 May 2026 - 31 May 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, Czechia, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia, Italy

Schedule
Great Britain vs. Austria
Sat, 16 May 2026, 12:20, Swiss Life Arena

Austria vs. Hungary
Sun, 17 May 2026, 16:20, Swiss Life Arena

Latvia vs. Austria
Tue, 19 May 2026, 16:20, Swiss Life Arena

Austria vs. Switzerland
Wed, 20 May 2026, 16:20, Swiss Life Arena

Austria vs. Germany
Sat, 23 May 2026, 20:20, Swiss Life Arena

Finland vs. Austria
Sun, 24 May 2026, 20:20, Swiss Life Arena

USA vs. Austria
Tue, 26 May 2026, 16:20, Swiss Life Arena

Information on World Championship ticket sales at 2026.iihfworlds.com!
Link to World Championship tickets for Zurich and Fribourg (Ticketcorner.ch)
Link to individual games involving Austria - (Ticketcorner.ch)
Link to World Championship packages featuring Austria’s games - (Ticketcorner.ch)