Three berths into the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina are on the line beginning February 6 as the final round of Olympic Qualification gets underway in Japan, Sweden, and Germany.
Three berths into the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina are on the line beginning February 6 as the final round of Olympic Qualification gets underway in Japan, Sweden, and Germany.
The 2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina are just over a year away, and this week, three nations will play their way into women's hockey's biggest tournament. The opportunity to earn the final spots in the 2026 Winter Olympics will come from a trio of qualification events in Japan, Sweden, and Germany.
In Gavle, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden will play for one of the coveted positions. In Tomakomai, Japan, Poland, France, China, and Japan will compete for another, while the final event in Bremerhaven, Germany will feature Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, and Germany.
Who will play their way into the Olympics?
The three host nations - Japan, Sweden, and Germany - are the favorites, but they'll face stiff competition with each nation bringing their best roster to the ice.
Japan's group is the weakest of the three. Japan will rely heavily on Akane Shiga, but the nation has been on a steep decline in recent seasons and will almost certainly soon find themselves relegated from the top division of the World Championships. The injury to Haruka Toko this year could doom their Olympic hopes as the nation's second best forward will be unavailable for the tournament. The nation was following a wise path by sending their best players to Sweden and Switzerland to play against stronger competition last year, but this season most have returned to weak domestic competition with only Shiga and defender Ayaka Hitosato playing abroad.
China could have punched their ticket to the Olympics if they'd continued to utilize dual passport players, but they dropped that pathway prior to the 2024 Worlds. They, along with France remain Japan's top competition. A French roster with Chloe Aurard, Estelle Duvin, Clara Rozier, and a half dozen NCAA players on board could surprise in this group.
In Sweden, the hosts are heavy favorites and should be at the Olympics. In fact, unless something goes wrong in qualification, Sweden is a legitimate contender for bronze. They'll bring a roster with PWHL experience in Anna Kjellbin, Lina Ljungblom, Maja Nylen Persson, and Emma Soderberg. The nation will also have NCAA stars Mira Jungaker, who is back from injury, Josefin Bouveng, and Thea Johansson available. It will be interesting to see if Tuva Kandell and Lisa Jonsson who have both been stellar at Northeastern work their way onto Sweden's roster. From the SDHL, Hanna Olsson, Hilda Svensson, Elin Svensson, Sara Hjalmarsson and Hanna Thuvik are all having strong seasons. Sofie Lundin may also factor in due to her offensive campaign.
Sweden will face Denmark and Norway as their top contending teams. The netminding of Emma-Sofie Nordstrom could be the difference for Denmark in any given game enabling an upset, if they can score. Norway has shown they're beginning to pick up steam as a women's hockey nation earning promotion to the top division of the World Championships with players like Ena Nystrom, Millie Rose Sirum, Emma Bergesen, and Andrea Dalen all contributing.
In the final division, Germany are the favorites, but they'll fave a trio of tough opponents in Hungary, Austria, and Slovakia. Austria has an edge with Anna Meixner and Theresa Schafzahl playing in the PWHL, and they may have their crease secured moving forward in Mercyhurst netminder Magdalena Luggin. Germany will hope Sandra Abstreiter is sharp in the crease, and they'll hope for big contributions from Laura Kluge, Emily Nix, the Welcke sisters, and Nina Jobst-Smith on the blueline. They lack star power, but have always played a responsible team game. Hungary will be healthy again with Lotti Odnoga, Fanni Gasparics, Taylor Baker, and Alexandra Huszak leading as veterans. They'll also hope NCAA players like Emma Kreisz and Regina Metzler can take steps forward. It will also be the Hungarian national tem debut for Madie Leidt, an American born forward. Slovakia is the underdog, but everyone will be watching to see how far Nela Lopusanova can take her nation in the future.