MILAN – The seeding for the qualifying round and the quarterfinals will be known at the end of the final day of the preliminary round of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Canada and Slovakia have already won Group A and Group B, respectively, and the Group C title will come down to the USA-Germany game at 3:10 p.m. ET (USA Network, Peacock) on Sunday, Feb. 15.
The USA clinches Group C if it wins. Germany would clinch it if it beats the Americans in regulation because they would be tied at six points each and the first tiebreaker is head-to-head competition.
That’s important because the top four seeds (group winners and best second-place team) get a bye to the quarterfinals. The remaining eight teams have to play in the qualifying round, with the four winners advancing to the quarterfinals.
If the USA wins in regulation, the top overall seed would also be in play, with goal differential being the deciding factor. Canada, which plays France, is plus 9 while the USA is plus 7 heading into Sunday’s action.
USA TODAY Sports is covering all the hockey action at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Sunday. Follow along:
Olympic men’s hockey scores and schedule today
All times Eastern and accurate as of Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at 7:23 p.m.
6:10 a.m. – Switzerland vs. Czechia, Group A on CNBC, Peacock
10:40 a.m. – Canada vs. France, Group A on USA, Peacock
3:10 p.m. – USA vs. Germany, Group C on USA, Peacock
3:10 p.m. – Denmark vs. Latvia, Group C on CNBC, Peacock
Where to watch Olympic men’s hockey
Watch Olympic men’s hockey on Peacock
How the Olympics men’s hockey tournament works
The 12 teams are divided into three groups. They are:
Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France
Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
Group C: USA, Germany, Latvia, Denmark
Teams play one game each against the other three teams in their group. Countries get three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime win, one for an overtime/shootout loss and zero for a regulation loss.
After the preliminary round is complete, teams are seeded 1 through 12 under the following criteria:
Higher position in the group
Higher number of points
Better goal difference
Higher number of goals scored for
Better IIHF world ranking
The top four teams (group winners and best second-place team) get a bye to the quarterfinals. Teams 5-12 play in a qualifying round, with the winners going to the quarterfinals.
Playoff qualification games are on Feb. 17, quarterfinals are Feb. 18 and semifinals are Feb. 20.
The bronze medal game is Feb. 21 and the gold medal game is Sunday, Feb. 22.