How much are the host allowed to change the groups?

[EmilSwede]

Hi, new here.

Something I have wondered long time but couldn't find any info about it, expect the IIHF book of rules.

In the IIHF World Championship 2025 Sweden and Finland would be in different groups based on the IIHF ranking. But the Swedish host wanted Finland to be in Sweden's group with the dumb motivation that "there are more Finns in Sweden than in Denmark and Finns in Finland have easier to travel to Sweden than Denmark".

Several times the host/arrenger has swapped teams in groups with whatever motivation. So this raise the question: how much is the arrenger allowed to change the groups?

If I as an American host/arrenger think Canada is too tough opponent for USA to be in the same group, am I allowed to swap Canada with say Slovakia?

I am against changing the groups except if two teams supposed to be in the same group co-host the tournament in their own nations. Like it was done in the 2012 and 2013 championships with Sweden and Finland.

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[Jumptheshark]

Host country can reportedly move one team if the IIHF agrees and yes, they factor in crowds sizes because sometimes the second host city is in a smaller arena.