The 2024 World Junior Championship (WJC) will be the 48th edition of the IIHF World Junior Championship, an annual international ice hockey tournament for men under 20 years of age. The tournament will be hosted by Gothenburg, Sweden, from December 26, 2023, to January 5, 2024.
The tournament will feature 10 teams, with the top eight teams from the previous year’s tournament returning automatically. The remaining two teams will be determined through a qualification tournament.
2024 World Junior Championship
Here are 10 important points about the 2024 World Junior Championship:
- Hosted by Gothenburg, Sweden
- December 26, 2023 – January 5, 2024
- 10 teams participating
- Top 8 teams from 2023 returning automatically
- Two teams to qualify through a tournament
- Canada is the defending champion
- United States has won the most titles (5)
- Tournament will be played in a round-robin format
- Top 4 teams advance to the semifinals
- Gold medal game on January 5, 2024
The 2024 World Junior Championship is expected to be a highly competitive tournament, with several top teams vying for the gold medal. Canada will be looking to defend its title, while the United States will be hoping to reclaim the championship it last won in 2021.
Hosted by Gothenburg, Sweden
The 2024 World Junior Championship will be hosted by Gothenburg, Sweden. This will be the second time that Gothenburg has hosted the tournament, having previously done so in 1993.
Gothenburg is a city in western Sweden with a population of around 580,000 people. It is the second-largest city in Sweden and is known for its vibrant culture and beautiful architecture. Gothenburg is also home to several world-class hockey teams, including Frölunda HC and Västra Frölunda HC.
The 2024 World Junior Championship will be played at the Scandinavium, a multi-purpose arena with a capacity of over 12,000 people. The Scandinavium has hosted numerous major sporting events, including the 1981 IIHF World Championship and the 2002 IIHF World Junior Championship.
The city of Gothenburg is excited to host the 2024 World Junior Championship. The tournament is expected to attract a large number of fans from around the world, and the city is preparing to put on a great event. The 2024 World Junior Championship is sure to be a memorable experience for players, fans, and the city of Gothenburg.
December 26, 2023 – January 5, 2024
The 2024 World Junior Championship will be held from December 26, 2023 to January 5, 2024. This is the traditional time period for the tournament, which has been held during the Christmas and New Year holidays since its inception in 1974.
The tournament will begin with a round-robin stage, in which each team will play each other once. The top four teams from the round-robin stage will advance to the semifinals, which will be held on January 3, 2024. The gold medal game will be played on January 5, 2024.
The 2024 World Junior Championship is expected to be a highly competitive tournament, with several top teams vying for the gold medal. Canada will be looking to defend its title, while the United States will be hoping to reclaim the championship it last won in 2021.
Fans can expect to see some of the best young hockey players in the world at the 2024 World Junior Championship. The tournament is a great opportunity to see the future stars of the NHL.
10 teams participating
The 2024 World Junior Championship will feature 10 teams, with the top eight teams from the previous year’s tournament returning automatically. The remaining two teams will be determined through a qualification tournament.
The eight teams that have already qualified for the 2024 World Junior Championship are:
- Canada
- Czech Republic
- Finland
- Germany
- Russia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United States
The two teams that will qualify through the qualification tournament will be determined in the spring of 2023. The qualification tournament will feature the top teams from the Division IA and Division IB tournaments.
The 10 teams that will participate in the 2024 World Junior Championship will be divided into two groups of five teams each. The groups will be determined by the IIHF World Ranking.
Top 8 teams from 2023 returning automatically
The top 8 teams from the 2023 World Junior Championship will return automatically to the 2024 tournament. These teams are:
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Canada
Canada is the defending champion and has won the most World Junior Championships (20).
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Czech Republic
The Czech Republic finished second in the 2023 tournament and has won two bronze medals in the past three years.
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Finland
Finland finished third in the 2023 tournament and has won three gold medals in the past six years.
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Germany
Germany finished fourth in the 2023 tournament and has never won a medal at the World Junior Championship.
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Russia
Russia is a perennial contender and has won the World Junior Championship four times in the past 10 years.
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Sweden
Sweden is hosting the 2024 tournament and has won the World Junior Championship twice in the past six years.
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Switzerland
Switzerland finished seventh in the 2023 tournament and has never won a medal at the World Junior Championship.
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United States
The United States has won the World Junior Championship five times, second only to Canada. The Americans finished fifth in the 2023 tournament.
These eight teams will be joined by two teams that will qualify through a qualification tournament. The qualification tournament will be held in the spring of 2023 and will feature the top teams from the Division IA and Division IB tournaments.
Two teams to qualify through a tournament
The two teams that will qualify for the 2024 World Junior Championship through a tournament will be determined in the spring of 2023. The qualification tournament will feature the top teams from the Division IA and Division IB tournaments.
The Division IA tournament will be held in Füssen, Germany, from December 11-17, 2023. The top two teams from the Division IA tournament will qualify for the 2024 World Junior Championship.
The Division IB tournament will be held in Tallinn, Estonia, from December 12-18, 2023. The winner of the Division IB tournament will qualify for the 2024 World Junior Championship.
The teams that are currently ranked in the top three in the Division IA and Division IB tournaments are:
Division IA
- Austria
- Kazakhstan
- Norway
Division IB
- France
- Hungary
- Slovenia
The qualification tournament will be a great opportunity for these teams to earn a berth in the 2024 World Junior Championship.
Canada is the defending champion
Canada is the defending champion at the 2024 World Junior Championship. The Canadians won the gold medal in 2023 by defeating Czechia 3-2 in the final.
Canada has a long history of success at the World Junior Championship, having won 20 gold medals, more than any other country. The Canadians have also won 16 silver medals and 10 bronze medals.
Canada will be looking to defend its title in 2024 and will be one of the favorites to win the tournament. The Canadians will have a strong team led by several top prospects, including Connor Bedard, who is considered to be one of the best young players in the world.
Canada will be playing in Group A at the 2024 World Junior Championship. The Canadians will open the tournament against Latvia on December 26, 2023. Canada will also play against Finland, Germany, and Austria in the group stage.
United States has won the most titles (5)
The United States has won the most titles at the World Junior Championship, with five gold medals. The Americans won their first gold medal in 1977 and have also won in 1986, 2004, 2010, and 2013.
- 1977: The United States won its first gold medal at the World Junior Championship in 1977. The Americans defeated the Soviet Union 6-4 in the final.
- 1986: The United States won its second gold medal at the World Junior Championship in 1986. The Americans defeated Canada 2-1 in the final.
- 2004: The United States won its third gold medal at the World Junior Championship in 2004. The Americans defeated Canada 4-3 in overtime in the final.
- 2010: The United States won its fourth gold medal at the World Junior Championship in 2010. The Americans defeated Canada 6-5 in overtime in the final.
- 2013: The United States won its fifth gold medal at the World Junior Championship in 2013. The Americans defeated Sweden 3-1 in the final.
The United States is always a contender for the gold medal at the World Junior Championship. The Americans have a strong tradition of developing young hockey players and will be looking to add to their medal count in 2024.
Tournament will be played in a round-robin format
The 2024 World Junior Championship will be played in a round-robin format. This means that each team will play each other team in its group once.
- Group A: Canada, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Austria
- Group B: Czechia, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, United States
The top four teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. The quarterfinals will be played on January 2, 2024. The semifinals will be played on January 4, 2024, and the gold medal game will be played on January 5, 2024.
The round-robin format is designed to ensure that all teams have a fair chance of advancing to the quarterfinals. It also allows for more exciting and competitive games, as each team will be playing for a chance to improve its position in the standings.
Top 4 teams advance to the semifinals
The top four teams from each group in the round-robin stage will advance to the semifinals. The semifinals will be played on January 4, 2024.
- Semifinal 1: 1st place Group A vs. 4th place Group B
- Semifinal 2: 2nd place Group A vs. 3rd place Group B
The winners of the semifinals will advance to the gold medal game, which will be played on January 5, 2024. The losers of the semifinals will play in the bronze medal game, which will also be played on January 5, 2024.
The semifinals are always exciting and competitive games, as the top four teams in the tournament are all vying for a chance to play for the gold medal.
Gold medal game on January 5, 2024
The gold medal game of the 2024 World Junior Championship will be played on January 5, 2024. The game will be played at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Time: 8:00 PM CET
- TV: TSN (Canada), NHL Network (United States)
- Streaming: TSN.ca, NHL.tv
The gold medal game is always a highly anticipated event, as the two best teams in the tournament face off for the championship.
Canada has won the most gold medals at the World Junior Championship, with 20. The United States is second with five gold medals. Russia has won four gold medals, and Finland has won three.
The 2024 gold medal game is sure to be a close and exciting contest. Both teams will be looking to add to their country’s medal count and claim the title of world junior champion.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2024 World Junior Championship:
Question 1: When is the 2024 World Junior Championship?
Answer: The 2024 World Junior Championship will be held from December 26, 2023 to January 5, 2024.
Question 2: Where is the 2024 World Junior Championship being held?
Answer: The 2024 World Junior Championship will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Question 3: Which teams are participating in the 2024 World Junior Championship?
Answer: The 10 teams participating in the 2024 World Junior Championship are Canada, Czechia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, and Austria.
Question 4: How can I watch the 2024 World Junior Championship?
Answer: The 2024 World Junior Championship will be broadcast on TSN (Canada) and NHL Network (United States). The tournament will also be streamed on TSN.ca and NHL.tv.
Question 5: Who is the defending champion of the World Junior Championship?
Answer: Canada is the defending champion of the World Junior Championship.
Question 6: Which country has won the most World Junior Championships?
Answer: Canada has won the most World Junior Championships, with 20 gold medals.
Question 7: What is the format of the World Junior Championship?
Answer: The World Junior Championship is played in a round-robin format, with the top four teams from each group advancing to the semifinals.
Question 8: When is the gold medal game of the 2024 World Junior Championship?
Answer: The gold medal game of the 2024 World Junior Championship will be played on January 5, 2024.
We hope this FAQ has answered some of your questions about the 2024 World Junior Championship. For more information, please visit the official website of the tournament.
Now that you know all about the 2024 World Junior Championship, here are a few tips to help you enjoy the tournament:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the 2024 World Junior Championship:
1. Buy your tickets early. Tickets for the World Junior Championship go on sale in the spring of 2023. If you want to get the best seats, be sure to buy your tickets early.
2. Get to the arena early. The World Junior Championship is a popular event, so it’s important to get to the arena early to avoid long lines and find a good seat.
3. Be prepared for the cold. The World Junior Championship is being held in Sweden in December and January, so it’s going to be cold. Be sure to dress warmly and bring a blanket to the arena.
4. Have fun! The World Junior Championship is a great opportunity to see some of the best young hockey players in the world. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the tournament.
We hope these tips help you have a great time at the 2024 World Junior Championship.
We hope this article has given you all the information you need to know about the 2024 World Junior Championship. We encourage you to follow the tournament and cheer on your favorite team.
Conclusion
The 2024 World Junior Championship is shaping up to be an exciting tournament. With 10 of the best teams in the world competing for the gold medal, there is sure to be plenty of great hockey to watch.
Here is a summary of the main points of this article:
- The 2024 World Junior Championship will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, from December 26, 2023 to January 5, 2024.
- Ten teams will participate in the tournament, including Canada, Czechia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, and Austria.
- The top eight teams from the 2023 tournament will return automatically, while the remaining two teams will qualify through a tournament.
- Canada is the defending champion, and the United States has won the most titles (5).
- The tournament will be played in a round-robin format, with the top four teams from each group advancing to the semifinals.
- The gold medal game will be played on January 5, 2024.
We hope you enjoy the 2024 World Junior Championship. Be sure to follow the tournament and cheer on your favorite team.