The capital of Kazakhstan is hosting the World Para Ice Hockey Championships B-Pool from 6 to 11 September

With Paralympic Winter Games qualification on the line, six nations clash in one of the most competitive B-Pool tournaments yet

Team Italy, the host nation of the forthcoming Paralympic Winter Games in 2026, enters the World Para Ice Hockey Championships B-Pool with a mix of experience and renewed determination, aiming to reclaim their spot in the A-Pool after recent setbacks. They play their opening game against Finland on 6 September.

Ranked No. 2 in the tournament, Japan will look to build on their golden campaign in Astana 2023 and reclaim their place among the sport’s elite group. They open their campaign against France on 6 September.

The 1994 Paralympic gold medallist enters Astana 2025 with sights set on promotion to the A‑Pool and qualification for the Milano‑Cortina 2026 Winter Games. They open their campaign against Kazakhstan on 6 September.

Finland returns to the B-Pool for the third time after winning the C-Pool World Championships in 2024. The team from Nordic region, which last appeared in the B-Pool event in 2023, aim for securing a spot in the Paralympic Winter Games for the first time.

France, the bronze medallist at 2022 C-Pool Worlds, enters the B-Pool tournament in Astana with steady momentum and a goal to break into the top tier of international Para ice hockey. They open their campaign against Japan on September 6.

Kazakhstan, who burst onto the international stage with a silver at the 2022 C‑Pool Worlds, will be aiming for a podium spot at the 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championships B-Pool that will be competed by six national teams over six days in Astana. The host, led by Aidos Toktarbayev, opens their campaign against Sweden on September 6.

USA player also receives Best Forward award for her performances at the inaugural World Para Ice Hockey Women's World Championships in Slovakia

Kelsey DiClaudio scores four goals in a 7-1 victory over Canada for the history books on Sunday in Slovakia

Norwegian star scores four goals and adds an assist in Norway’s 6–0 bronze-medal win over Great Britain at the Dolny Kubin Winter Stadium

North American rivals meet on Sunday for the title at the first Women's World Championships, while Norway and Great Britain play for the bronze medal; Team World beats Australia to finish fifth in Slovakia

'I feel like I'm part of history,' says the only Swedish female Para ice hockey player, who represents Team World at the first Women’s World Championships in Dolny Kubin and hopes more women will join the sport she loves

Norwegian captain praises USA and Canadian players as both teams top groups following dominant wins - Team USA beats Norway 10-0 while Canada wins over Great Britain (7-0) on Thursday at the Women's World Championships in Dolny Kubin

Great Britain beats Ema Simakova and Michaela Hozakova's Team World 2-1 to reach the semi-finals, while Norway celebrates a 7-0 triumph over Australia in its first-ever World Para Ice Hockey game on Wednesday in Dolny Kubin

The United States defeat Australia 8-0 in the opening game of the inaugural tournament in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia, while Canada cruises to a 10-0 victory over Team World on Tuesday