The opening match of Game Day 1 at the 2026 World Junior Championship between the Czech Republic and Canada will take place on 27 December at 3M Arena Mariucci in Minneapolis. Czech Republic vs Canada: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Czech Republic
In last year’s tournament the Czechs finished second in their group, then beat Canada 4-3 in the quarter-finals but lost 4-1 to the United States in the semi-final. Nevertheless, they secured a podium finish for the third consecutive time by defeating the group winners Sweden in the bronze-medal game (3-2 on penalties). Notably, over the past three years the Czech Republic has twice taken bronze and once silver. The national team has only one world junior title in the 21st century (2001).
Among the squad for the upcoming WJC is one of the Czech Republic’s top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft, Adam Novotny, who has recorded 35 points in 29 games this season for the Peterborough Petes (29+19) and is the team’s leading scorer and top goal-scorer. In the forward lines look out for Adam Benak, who ranks among the top three scorers for Brantford (26+15). The blue line features productive defenders in Radim Mrtka, the leader of the Seattle Thunderbirds (1+15), and Adam Jiricek, who has already tallied 29 points this season for Brantford (10+19).
- The Czech Republic scored at least two goals in regulation in each of the last five head-to-head meetings at the World Juniors.
- The team has won 6 of its previous 8 matches at the WJC (one via penalties).
- No more than six goals were scored over three periods in 4 of the last 5 games at this tournament involving the Czechs.
Canada
Canada finished only third in their group last year and were knocked out in the quarter-finals by the Czech Republic. This marked the second consecutive WJC in which the Czechs eliminated Canada at this stage. As hosts, Canada failed to finish in the top three for only the second time in their history; the last occasion was in 2019. The Canadians also missed out on a medal for the second straight year, although in the past four seasons they have been champions twice (2022, 2023) and ten times overall in modern junior history.
Canada’s roster for this WJC is among the most highly rated ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. Forward Gavin Makenna is viewed as the team’s leading prospect and is tipped as a potential first overall pick; he was named the CHL’s top young player last summer. Keaton Verhuff and Carson Karels also have chances to be selected early in the upcoming draft. From the group of NHL-experienced players, notable names include forward Michael Misa of the San Jose Sharks (7 games, 3 points: 1+2), defenceman Harrison Brunike of the Pittsburgh Penguins (9 games, 1 goal), and Zain Parekh of the Calgary Flames (11 games, 1 assist).
- Canada has not scored more than five goals in regulation in each of the last seven head-to-head meetings at the WJC.
- The team lost 3 of its previous 4 matches at the World Juniors (one via penalties).
- No more than seven goals were scored over three periods in six of Canada’s last matches at the WJC.
Czech Republic – Canada: Match Prediction
Recent years have been disappointing for Canada at the WJC despite a strong pool of talent. This year’s squad is again very impressive on paper and could be considered one of the tournament’s strongest, especially offensively; their depth of skilled players should ensure few problems with finishing chances.
The Czech attack also looks convincing. Having eliminated Canada at the WJC in two consecutive tournaments, the Czechs should be psychologically confident and will not approach this game as underdogs; I expect them to produce on offence as well.
I anticipate both teams will be highly motivated and that the match will be entertaining and high-scoring. Notably, in 4 of the last 6 head-to-head meetings at the World Juniors the sides combined for at least six goals in regulation. I do not expect anything less here, so my prediction: Total over 6
Matyáš Mařík
Michal Oršulák
Ondřej Štěbeták
Adam Jiricek
Jakub Fibigr
Jakub Vaněček
Radim Mrtka
Vashek Blanár
Adam Novotný
Adam Titlbach
Danny Chludil
Jiří Klíma
Matěj Kubiesa
Maxmilian Curran
Richard Žemlička
Samuel Drančák
Tomáš Poletín
Vojtěch Čihař
Václav Nestrašil
Carter George
Jack Ivankovic
Joshua Ravensbergen
Cameron Reid
Harrison Brunicke
Kashawn Aitcheson
Keaton Verhoeff
Zayne Parekh
Brady Martin
Caleb Desnoyers
Carter Bear
Gavin McKenna
Liam Greentree
Michael Misa
Sam O'Reilly
