2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division IV Cancelled Amid Regional Tensions
The Armenian national hockey team has missed the chance to compete on the world stage, as the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division IV in Kuwait has been officially cancelled due to ongoing safety concerns from regional conflicts in the Middle East.
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced that the championship, initially set for April in Kuwait City, has been called off over heightened safety concerns. Armenia was poised to make a strong showing in Division IV after an impressive performance last year, where the team finished second overall while hosting the tournament in Yerevan. Armenia secured four wins, outscoring their opponents 53-11, with standout victories against Malaysia (24-3) and Indonesia (14-1). Notably, their campaign was marked by a thrilling shootout victory against the eventual champion, Uzbekistan.
Although earlier reports speculated a potential postponement, the IIHF has confirmed the complete cancellation of the tournament, without any updates on possible rescheduling or replacement events.