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The national team of Turkmenistan will continue its participation in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championship in Group A of Division III. The composition of this group was determined following the conclusion of the world tournaments in the lower divisions.

Turkmenistan's opponents will include familiar teams from previous championships: Turkey, South Africa, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as newcomers to the group: Mexico, which was promoted from Group B of Division III, and Thailand, which was relegated from Group B of Division II.

While the venue for the tournament has not yet been announced, preparations for the competitions are fully underway. The Turkmen team, consistently performing at the Division III level, will strive to improve its standing and compete for promotion to a higher division.

Meanwhile, the Uzbekistan national team, which made a successful debut in 2024 and won Division IV, will play in Group B of Division III next season. Its opponents will be the teams of North Korea, Hong Kong, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Luxembourg, which was relegated from Group A of Division III. Uzbekistan is being considered as one of the potential hosts for the tournament of this group, provided an official bid is submitted.

The Kyrgyzstan national team, which won Group A of Division III, will be promoted to Group B of Division II next season. Its opponents have already been determined as Bulgaria, Chinese Taipei, Iceland, and New Zealand. The final composition of the group will be known after the completion of the matches in Group A of Division II.

At the highest level of the World Championship, the Kazakhstan national team will compete. In the top division, starting on May 9th, its group opponents will be the United States, Czechia, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, and Hungary. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, while the bottom team will be relegated from the elite division.

ORIENT news

Photo: www.grani.lv