The puck has officially dropped on the women’s ice hockey tournament at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. As of today, 05 February 2026, the world’s elite programs have begun their preliminary round campaigns in Italy, with Canada entering the fray as the defending gold medalists.
The opening day of action features a packed slate across Groups A and B. While the tournament officially precedes tomorrow’s Opening Ceremony, the intensity is already at a peak as teams jockey for positioning in the knockout bracket. Canada, seeking to defend the title they reclaimed in Beijing, remains the focal point of national attention alongside their perennial rivals, the United States.
Opening Day Schedule & Matchups
The preliminary round began early this morning with Group B action, followed by the heavyweights in Group A. Below are the scheduled matchups for Thursday, 05 February 2026:
| Group | Matchup | Time (EST) |
|---|---|---|
| B | Germany vs. Japan | 6:10 AM |
| B | Sweden vs. Italy | 8:40 AM |
| A | United States vs. Finland | 10:40 AM |
| A | Switzerland vs. Canada | 2:40 PM |
Note: While earlier schedules suggested an opener against Finland, the official IIHF and Olympic broadcast schedules for today confirm Canada will face Switzerland in their first Group A contest this afternoon.
The Quest for Gold: Canada vs. USA
The narrative of the 2026 Games continues to be the historic tug-of-war between Canada and the United States. Canada arrived in Milan with a roster built on experience, aiming to replicate the dominance that saw them win four consecutive gold medals between 2002 and 2014. However, the American squad, captained by five-time Olympian Hilary Knight, enters the tournament as a formidable threat, bolstered by rising stars like Laila Edwards, the first Black woman to play for the U.S. Olympic hockey team.
Recent projections from analysts at CBC Sports suggest a razor-thin margin between the two giants, with some models slightly favouring the Americans to reclaim the top spot on the podium. Despite these predictions, Team Canada remains the betting favourite in many circles, relying on a deep veteran core to navigate the pressure of the Olympic stage.
Tournament Format & Key Dates
The women’s tournament features ten teams divided into two groups. Group A contains the top five seeds (Canada, USA, Finland, Switzerland, and Czechia), all of whom are guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals. Group B consists of the next five seeds, with only the top three advancing to the knockout stage.
- Preliminary Round: 05 February – 13 February 2026
- Quarter-finals: 14 February – 15 February 2026
- Semi-finals: 17 February 2026
- Gold Medal Game: 19 February 2026
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the health and consistency of the Canadian special teams. With the gold medal match set for 19 February, the road to the podium starts today in Milan.