Bettman Confirms World Cup in 2028 (At Least 8 Nations)

[Albatros]

It also waters down the qualification if not all at least European teams take part, including their NHL players. Just make it early autumn the year before when there are no soccer competitions going on. Maybe even some kind of a final for the European title already.

 

[coolboarder]

A play-in tournament for last two spots should be reserved for any nation that made it to the Olympics with two play-in spots for play-in tournament so therefore, any fringe nations could have a small chance of making it to World Cup of Hockey with some taste of NHL player playing, such as Australian or South Africa or whatever federations they exist a shot at qualifying during off-season just before the World Cup in 2027 in August and September of 2027 in North America and host city that loves hockey can bid for it using NHL rules and NHL ice size. I'd like to see World Cup being open qualifying tournament to all nations. That is the way to grow the game other than just IIHF World Championships.

 

[Kshahdoo]

There's only been 12 best on best. Canada won 8 of them (1976, 1984, 1987, 1991, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2014). Soviets won 1981. US 1996. Czechs 1998. Sweden 2006.

Soviet Union won The Challenge Cup vs top NHLers, not just Canadians. Playing on the smaller ice vs NHL officiating.

 

[Kshahdoo]

The fact that the Four Nations is happening right now without Russia kind of goes against this entire post, doesn't it?

It's 4 Nations exactly because of current political climate, otherwise it would be bigger. NHL undesrtands that actual World Cup is pointless without Russia and Russian superstars.

The war will be over in 2028, and Sweden Hockey Federation has already said it won't boycott tournaments if Russia plays at. And don't forget that NHL players will play where the league and NHLPA tell them to play, I doubt they care a lot about what IIHF or their federations think about it.

 

[Grifter3511]

It's 4 Nations exactly because of current political climate, otherwise it would be bigger. NHL undesrtands that actual World Cup is pointless without Russia and Russian superstars.

The war will be over in 2028, and Sweden Hockey Federation has already said it won't boycott tournaments if Russia plays at. And don't forget that NHL players will play where the league and NHLPA tell them to play, I doubt they care a lot about what IIHF or their federations think about it.

Hmm...so a best on best tournament without russia is pointless, except they're holding one right now.....okay then.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Hmm...so a best on best tournament without russia is pointless, except they're holding one right now.....okay then.

World Cup is pointless. 4 Nations is an experimental tournament just for test reasons - as far as I remember it's what the league said about it.

And we're talking about World Cup here not about another experiments...