A Look at the Competition for the 2023 IIHF World Championship

While the IIHF World Championships are still waiting on the NHL to lend players from its league, not everyone is focused on the Stanley Cup each spring. The tournament benefits from a FIFA World Cup and an Olympics-style form of competition, which pits nation against nation. In other words, even casual fans are likely to watch games where their home nation is competing.

Plus, there’s always added attention from sportsbooks anytime a global tournament comes around. For example, a promo offer from DraftKings sportsbooks might usually focus on daily fantasy sports for football or basketball. However, if a tournament like the IIHF World Championship is going on, then bettors are more likely to join in on the action by backing a favorite.

And speaking of favorites, this year’s tournament will see sixteen teams compete in a round-robin style in the top division. All eyes are on Hungary and Slovenia since both teams were promoted from Division I. However, some fans are instead focused on the other divisions mentioned, where dozens of countries are scrapping to advance in ice hockey.

Let’s dive into this year’s competition, starting with the Championship tier and moving down to Division IV.

Championship: Kazakhstan

Hosted in Finland & Latvia

Since joining the IIHF in 1992, the Kazakh national men’s hockey team has yet to take home an IIHF trophy. However, they’re one of the top tier’s leading underdogs heading into the tournament. The team’s best result to date in the IIHF was a 10th-place finish back in 2021. 

While the team has bounced between the Championship and the IIHF’s DI division, they’ve got a winning international record that continues to improve with each year. Under head coach Yuri Mikhailis, who has been in charge since 2020, some pundits are keeping an eye on the team as a competitive underdog.

DI: Poland

Hosted in Nottingham, UK

Back in the 1980s, the Polish men’s national ice hockey team was revolving around the most competitive teams of the day, including Canada, Sweden, and the USSR. Though they never peaked past a 6th place ranking internationally, the team has plenty of support—and with a recent promotion back into the DI competition, many are hoping the team will be able to compete at a high level. Some are also keeping their fingers crossed that Poland will find its way back into the Championship since being relegated down back in 2002.

DII: Georgia

Hosted in Madrid, Spain

As one of the youngest countries in the IIHF, there’s plenty of excitement surrounding the Georgian men’s national ice hockey team. As of 2022, Georgia is ranked 43rd internationally. But the team is exciting to watch considering they played their first IIHF tournament in 2013. After only five years of play, they jumped from DIII to DII back in 2018. Considering it’s been another five years, will Georgia make the jump to DI after this tournament?

DIII: Hong Kong

Hosted in Cape Town, South Africa

Hong Kong easily has one of the IIHF’s most interesting teams. As a unique nation with plenty of international residents, the Hong Kong team saw plenty of American and Canadian players moonlight on their roster during the 1980s and 90s—but no teams managed to compete in the championship. Back in 2014, the Hong Kong team reappeared in the IIHF. Since then, they’ve competed in DIII. But many fans have their fingers crossed for a promotion this year.

DIV: Indonesia

Hosted in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

The Indonesian men’s national ice hockey team has played for the Challenge Cup of Asia before—but has never officially appeared in any IIHF tournaments or the Olympic Games. However, that will change this year as they compete in the IIHF’s DIV competition.

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