Four teams in the Riga group in 2024 will compete for a ticket to the next Winter Olympic Games from August 29 to September 1. The Latvian national team is expected to meet France and Austria in the group, as well as one team that will win the pre-selection group.
In the IIHF world ranking, the Latvian men’s national team ranks 10th and cannot claim an automatic ticket to the Olympics, which is due to the eight strongest national teams in the ranking. If the aggressor Russia is prevented from participating in the Olympic tournament in Italy, Slovakia will receive the last guaranteed ticket as the ninth strongest country in the 2023 ranking. The IIHF is expected to make a decision on Russia’s hockey status in the context of the next Winter Olympics in March 2024.
Participation in the Olympic tournament in the 12-team competition is also guaranteed for host Italy, but the remaining three vacancies will be shared by the winners of the three qualifying tournaments.
LHF president Aigars Kalvītis emphasized that the goal of the Latvian national team in the qualification tournament will definitely be winning the Olympic ticket.
“We are very honored to host the Olympic selection final tournament,” said Kalvītis. “A competition of this scale in front of crowded stands will be a real hockey celebration for every Latvian sports fan. Our goal is only one – to qualify for the biggest winter sports forum of the four years.”
The Latvian national ice hockey team has participated in six Winter Olympic Games.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will take place from February 6 to 22.
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