2026 Olympic Preview: Finland

Looking to build off their bronze-medal performance four years ago, Finland will open its Olympic bid at Milano-Cortina on February 5 against Canada. Finland will play as one of five teams in Group A, alongside Canada, the United States, Czechia, and Switzerland.

How They Got Here

The IIHF ranks Finland third, behind the United States and Canada, and ten points ahead of Czechia.

Finland finished with the bronze at each of the last two World Championships. In 2023, they finished fifth after beating Sweden; the year prior, they finished sixth. It's been a marked improvement over the last few years.

Last Olympics

Finland secured its fourth bronze medal in Beijing, beating Switzerland 4-0 to capture the medal. The team finished third in Group A, having lost to the United States (5-2), Canada (11-1) and Switzerland (3-2) but beating the Russian Olympic Committee 5-0. That positioned them to face Japan in the quarterfinals, where they handily won 7-1. A 4-1 loss to the United States in the semifinal sent them to the bronze medal game.

Finland has won bronze in each of the last two Olympics, having also won the same in 2010 and 1998. Historically, Finland has only missed the bronze medal game once: in 2014, when they were eliminated in the quarterfinals.

Storyline

Could we see Finland in the gold medal game? I don't think it's out of the question.

For so long, international women's hockey was very much a "1A, 1B" situation with the USA and Canada, with the other countries quite far in terms of status and success. Over recent years, that gap has certainly lessened, but is it enough yet? With how tight some of these games are, it's not entirely out of the question that we could see a close game go Finland's way and make all the difference. All it takes is one odd bounce off the end boards, one errant shot.

The IIHF specifically noted Finland's roster as "well‑structured, experienced, and deeper than in recent Olympic cycles," also noting the impact of the PWHL heading into this year's tournament:

"The rise of the PWHL has accelerated global parity. The world’s top players now prepare side‑by‑side during the season. That means sharing systems, pace, and daily competition before returning to their national colours."

(Meanwhile, Finland was relegated for the first time ever, at any level, in the U18 World Championships after falling to Hungary 7-5 in the relegation game, sparking some questions about their overall development.)

Players to Watch

As Finland's roster is largely returnees, I want to highlight one returning player along with one newcomer here. Petra Nieminen, 26, is heading to her third Olympics and will once again serve as an alternate captain for the national team. In 2022, Nieminen registered eight points, including five assists, in seven Olympic games, tied for the team lead in scoring. This season, with Luleå in the SDHL, Nieminen [LEADS THE LEAGUE?] with 43 points in just 25 games.

On the flip side, Julia Schalin, 20, is making her Olympic debut. The youngest player on Finland's roster, she made her senior national team debut in 2024. Though she hasn't quite found her offense yet at the senior level, she's certainly got the skill and is a known playmaker. Schalin has 26 points, including 18 assists, in 28 games with the NCAA Division-I Mercyhurst Lakers this season. She's tied for the team lead in points.

For a closer look at Finland's overall roster, check out my earlier piece:

A Deeper Dive into Finland’s Olympic Roster

Finland hopes to build off 2022’s bronze-medal performance and boost their country’s international success.

The Ice GardenMelissa Burgess

What Does Success Look Like?

On one hand, there's nothing wrong with a bronze medal finish. These are the top national teams - truly, the best of the best - and finishing third is nothing to turn your nose up at. Finland has historically finished third often, and it would be a success if they did so again in 2026 - especially given the promising rise of teams like Czechia and Switzerland.

Predicted Finish

Given the stability across their roster, I think Finland has a strong chance at a bronze medal - but I do think Czechia is going to give them a run for their money and make it a fight to the finish.