2026 World Juniors predictions: Quarterfinal matchups, who medals and who's relegated
Prospect experts Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler and Max Bultman analyze our staff's updated picks ahead of the tournament's quarterfinals.
By Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler, Max Bultman and The Athletic NHL Staff
How much could have changed in a week?
Well, at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, the answer is a lot.
Our pre-tournament pick to win Group A in our World Juniors predictions, the United States, finished behind Sweden. One of our picks for the top defender, Cole Hutson, suffered an injury that changed the outlook.
What else changed? Before the tournament’s quarterfinals, The Athletic polled 14 NHL staffers on Jan. 1, 2026, on the same set of questions we asked pre-tournament, plus their picks for the quarterfinal matchups and a potential Canada vs. USA clash in the semifinals or final. All those polled answered each question in the staff team picks portion of the survey.
Here’s how our staff’s expectations for the tournament have already evolved, with expert analysis, critique and player picks from prospect experts Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler and Max Bultman.
Wheeler: This is a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal, which came down to the last minute of the game, so don’t fully count the Latvians out!
Bultman: The Swedes have been impressive so far, and I wouldn’t pick against them in any game the rest of the way as of now, but as any Canadian can tell you, do not overlook Latvia.
Bultman: Switzerland closed out pool play with a nice win over Slovakia, and pushed USA early in the tournament as well. The Czechs are deserved favorites, but an upset here by Switzerland isn’t a zero percent proposition, though it would probably require a big game in goal from either Christian Kirsch or Elijah Neuenschwander.
Wheeler: The Swiss are owed better odds than zero here. They won two games in the preliminary round and lost to USA and Sweden by one and two goals respectively, finishing group play with a positive goal differential. They’ve got a solid blue line, good goaltending and a couple of forwards.
Wheeler: This is a coin toss. Cole Hutson’s readiness following his full participation in practice on New Year’s Day could be the determining factor.
I took Finland here. It’s just tough for me to pick USA to make a major run, between their injuries (down Hutson and Max Plante) and some unconvincing wins so far.
