The contingent of Men's national team for the second phase of the Preparation for the 2026 IIHF World Championship The team's participation in Switzerland next May is confirmed. National coach Harold Kreis has 26 player nominated, who will meet in Augsburg on Monday and prepare on site for the next tasks.
Highlights of the upcoming preparation week include two home international matches against Slovakia: on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 20:00 p.m. in Kaufbeuren and on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 17:00 p.m. in Augsburg. The program is complemented by the women's national team, which will play against Switzerland at both locations – at 16:30 p.m. in Kaufbeuren and at 13:30 p.m. in Augsburg. Day tickets are valid for both matches of the respective match day. All matches will be streamed live and free of charge at [website address missing]. MagentaSport to see.
The squad for the international matches against Slovakia consists of three goalkeepers, eight defenders and 15 strikers together. The only personnel change compared to Phase 1: With Alexander Karachun (Schwenninger Wild Wings) Another striker will join the squad on Monday and will join the national team – otherwise Kreis is relying on the team that has already played the first two games in the Czech Republic.
The coaching staff will remain unchanged next week: In addition to national coach Harold Kreis, Mitch O'Keefe (Nuremberg), Heiko Vogler (Wolfsburg) and Sebastian Buchwieser (Kaufbeuren) will continue to serve as assistants, and Luca Endres (Frankfurt) will be the goalkeeping coach. DEBAssistant coach Alexander Sulzer joins the team in phase 3.
National coach Harold Kreis Regarding the second phase: “We want to process the insights we gained during the week in Karlovy Vary and implement them in the two matches against Slovakia. We know they will be two intense international matches, as both teams are at a similar stage of their preparation. The players want to draw attention to themselves with their performances. At the same time, it is important for both teams to work on details regarding system and tactics. With Alexander Karachun, we have nominated an additional player who brings assertiveness and height. His inclusion gives us further options in attack.”
World Cup preparation 2026, Men's National Team
April 16.04.2026, XNUMX | Czech Republic - Germany | 5:3 (1:0, 1:2, 3:1)
April 17.04.2026, XNUMX | Czech Republic - Germany | 4:1 (2:0, 1:0, 1:1)
23.04.2026/20/00 | XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. | Germany – Slovakia (Kaufbeuren)
25.04.2026/17/00 | XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. | Germany – Slovakia (Augsburg)
Aug 30.04.2026, 19 | 00:XNUMX p.m. | Austria - Germany (Zell am See / AUT)
02.05.2026/17/00 | XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. | Germany – Austria (Garmisch-Partenkirchen)
10.05.2026/17/00 | XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. | Germany – USA (Mannheim)