Unlike the 2016 edition, which featured hybrid teams like Team Europe and Team North America, the 2028 event will be strictly nation-based, staged in both Europe and North America. Daly confirmed there will be a European host city for preliminary play, a North American host for another pool, and then a North American city hosting the semifinals and final.
The bid process is already well underway, with more than 20 North American markets and several European cities expressing interest.
The 2028 World Cup of Hockey will have a field of eight teams…@frank_seravalli breaks down who’s in and who’s out of the tourney ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6IDldl5C7E
The eight countries expected to participate include Canada, the United States, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Germany. Russia remains excluded due to ongoing international sanctions, with several nations threatening to boycott if they are invited back.
For now, the tournament will be played mid-season in February, modeled after Olympic-style competition. Daly has hinted at a possible qualification system for 2032, suggesting the NHL wants the event to eventually mirror other international tournaments with broader participation.
It appears as though the NHL will take control of the World Cup of Hockey without IIHF involvement. pic.twitter.com/byRcraXGAw
Speculation has already begun over which cities could land hosting duties. Vancouver and Stockholm have been floated as strong candidates for group play, while New York City is a leading option for the semifinals and final. Other European cities like Helsinki are also in the mix.
The NHL has indicated this could be just the start of expansion, with the potential for more host cities and a larger field in future editions. Fans may not see Team North America or Team Europe return, but a qualification process would open the door for emerging hockey nations to be part of the spectacle.
Photo Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
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