The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual international men's ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European Championships, the precursor to the World Championships, were first held in 1910. The tournament held at the 1920 Summer Olympics is recognized as the first Ice Hockey World Championship. From 1920 to 1968, the Olympic hockey tournament was also considered the World Championship for that year.
The Russian men's national ice hockey team is the national men's ice hockey team of Russia, overseen by the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia. As of 2021, they were rated third in the IIHF World Ranking. The team has competed internationally from 1992 until it was provisionally suspended in 2022, and is recognized by the IIHF as the successor to the Soviet Union team and CIS team. Russia has been one of the most successful national ice hockey teams in the world and a member of the so-called "Big Six," the unofficial group of the six strongest men's ice hockey nations, along with Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, and the United States. The European nations of the Big Six participate in the Euro Hockey Tour, which Russia won nine times since 2005. Since September 2021, the head coach is Alexei Zhamnov, who took over from Valeri Bragin.
The Slovenia men's national ice hockey team is the ice hockey team representing Slovenia internationally. It is governed by the Ice Hockey Federation of Slovenia. As of May 2024, Slovenia is ranked 19th in the world by the IIHF World Ranking. The team's biggest success is reaching the quarter-finals at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Their best record at the Ice Hockey World Championships is 13th place, achieved in 2002 and 2005.
The Bulgarian national ice hockey team is the national men's ice hockey team of Bulgaria. The team is controlled by the Bulgarian Ice Hockey Federation and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). As of 2018, Bulgaria is ranked 38th in the IIHF World Ranking and competes in Division III of the Ice Hockey World Championships.
The Hungarian men's national ice hockey team is the national ice hockey team of Hungary. They have participated in the IIHF European Championships, the IIHF World Hockey Championships and the Olympic Games since 1928. A consistent participant of the annual World Championship, Hungary has played at the Olympics three times, most recently in 1964. They are currently ranked 19th in the world by the IIHF.
The Slovenian women's national ice hockey team represents Slovenia at the International Ice Hockey Federation's IIHF World Women's Championships. The women's national team is controlled by Hokejska zveza Slovenije. As of 2011, Slovenia has 88 female players. The Slovenian women's national team is ranked 19th in the world.
The South Africa national ice hockey team is the national men's ice hockey team of South Africa. The team is controlled by the South African Ice Hockey Federation and has been a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) since 25 February 1937. As of 29 September 2022, South Africa is currently ranked 51st in the IIHF World Ranking and competes in Division III of the IIHF World Championships. South Africa is the only African-based team that competes in IIHF tournaments.
The South Korean national ice hockey team is the national men's ice hockey team of the Republic of Korea. They are currently ranked 19th in the IIHF World Rankings and competed in the World Championship top division tournament. The team's most successful campaign thus far was a second-place finish in the 2017 Division I Group A tournament and thus qualifying for the top division in 2018. They competed in their first Winter Olympics in 2018 in Pyeongchang as the host nation.
The Kuwait national ice hockey team is the national men's ice hockey team of Kuwait. The team is controlled by the Kuwait Ice Hockey Association and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) since 8 May 2009. As of 28 May 2023, Kuwait is currently ranked 50th in the IIHF World Ranking. Kuwait participated in the IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia, a regional tournament for lower-tier hockey nations in Asia, from 2010 to 2018. Kuwait made its World Championship debut at the 2018 Division III Qualification tournament.
The Finnish Ice Hockey Association is the governing body of ice hockey in Finland. Since the late 1980s, Finland has enjoyed a period of success on the international stage and, as of 2022, the men's national team is ranked first in the world and the women's national team is ranked third in the world by the IIHF.
The International Ice Hockey Federation is a worldwide governing body for ice hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 84 member countries.
The Croatian women's national ice hockey team represents Croatia at the International Ice Hockey Federation's IIHF World Women's Championships. The women's national team is controlled by Croatian Ice Hockey Federation. As of 2011, Croatia has 39 female players. Croatia is ranked 33rd in the IIHF World Ranking.
The Chinese Ice Hockey Association (CIHA) is the governing body of ice hockey in the People's Republic of China. It has been a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) since 1963.
The IIHF World Ranking is a ranking of the performance of the national ice hockey teams of member countries of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). It is based on a formula giving points for each team's placings at IIHF-sanctioned tournaments over the previous four years. The ranking is used to determine seedings and qualification requirements for future IIHF tournaments. The current leader in rankings is Canada in both men's and women's play.
The Kazakhstan Ice Hockey Federation is the governing body of ice hockey in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan was one of nine former republics of the Soviet Union to join the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) on 6 May 1992.
The Korea Ice Hockey Association is the governing body and member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) that oversees ice hockey in South Korea.
The Brazilian national ice hockey team is the national men's ice hockey team of Brazil. The team is controlled by the Brazilian Ice Sports Federation and as an associate member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Brazil is currently not ranked in the IIHF World Ranking and has still not actively competing in any World Championship, but have played in the Pan American Tournament, a regional tournament for lower-tier hockey nations in the Americas.
2 (27 May 2024) [1] 
1 (28 August 2023) [2] 
