Can USA men's hockey make world championships quarterfinals? The scenarios

Mike Brehm, USA TODAYSun, May 24, 2026 at 10:05 AM UTC

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Can USA men's hockey make world championships quarterfinals? The scenarios

The defending champion United States' chances of making the men's hockey world championships quarterfinals got tougher after a loss to Latvia.

The Americans have fallen to sixth place and no longer control their fate in their bid to finish in the top four in Group A and clinch a spot in the quarterfinals.

But an Austria loss to Germany gave the USA two possible paths to advance. The standings heading into Sunday's games are Austria (third, nine points), Germany (fourth, seven points), Latvia (fifth, six points) and United States (sixth, five points).

The USA doesn't play until Monday when it faces Hungary before it wraps up the preliminary round on Tuesday against Austria. But Latvia and Austria are in action on Sunday. Here is how those games affect the Americans' chances:

Latvia vs. Great Britain

Game starts at 10:20 a.m. ET. Even if Latvia wins − and it should against last-place Great Britain − the United States would remain alive. It would be four points back but could gain another six points in its final two games. Likewise, a Latvia loss wouldn't clinch anything. The USA would still trail by one point with two games left. The Latvians also face Hungary on Tuesday and if they pick up five points in their two games, the United States can't catch them. Latvia holds the tiebreaker because it beat the Americans.

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Austria vs. Finland

Game starts at 2:20 p.m. ET. If Austria wins in regulation, gaining three points, the United States can't catch it. Any other result would make Tuesday's Austria-USA game meaningful, assuming the Americans first beat Hungary on Monday.

What about Germany?

Germany faces Great Britain on Monday and can finish with a maximum of 10 points, making it possible for the USA to catch it. The Americans hold the tiebreaker, having defeated the Germans.

USA's best scenario to clinch

Austria loses to Finland, and the USA beats Hungary and Austria.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA men's hockey's chances to make world championships quarterfinals

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