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Team USA begins its quest for a historic “three-peat” as it faces Germany on the opening day of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. This Group A clash takes place on Friday, December 26, 2025, at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Fans in the United States can watch the game live exclusively on NHL Network, with streaming available through platforms that carry the channel, such as Fubo. In Canada, the game will be broadcast across TSN networks and the TSN app. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM local CT). As the defending gold medalists and tournament hosts, the Americans enter as heavy favorites against a gritty German squad looking for an opening-day upset.
Germany vs USA Viewing Information
- Date: Friday, Dec 26, 2025.
- Venue: Xcel Energy Center, Minnesota.
- Start time: 6:00 PM ET
- Watch Live Stream: Start Watching Live Online (Available Worldwide)
Germany vs USA Event Details
The Germany vs. USA matchup serves as the high-stakes opening game for Group A at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. Scheduled for Friday, December 26, 2025, at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, puck drop is set for 5:00 PM local time (6:00 PM ET).
Team USA, the defending champions, enters the tournament as heavy favorites, led by standout returnees James Hagens and defenseman Cole Hutson. Germany looks to counter with top prospects like Maxim Schäfer and goaltender Linus Vieillard. The Americans recently dominated Germany 8-0 in a pre-tournament tune-up, but the official opener carries significant weight for seeding. Fans can catch the action live on NHL Network (USA) and TSN (Canada).
Germany vs USA Event Schedule
| Category | Event Information |
| Date | Friday, December 26, 2025 |
| Puck Drop (Local) | 5:00 PM CT |
| Puck Drop (Eastern) | 6:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Grand Casino Arena (Xcel Energy Center) |
| City | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| Round | Preliminary Round (Group A) |
| TV (USA) | NHL Network |
| TV (Canada) | TSN1, TSN3 |
| Live Stream | Fubo, Sling TV (USA) / TSN App (Canada) |
Germany vs USA Match Preview
Team USA enters the 2026 World Junior Championship as the powerhouse to beat, aiming for a historic third consecutive gold medal. In their tournament opener against Germany, the Americans boast a star-studded lineup led by returning standouts James Hagens and Cole Hutson.
The two teams recently met in a pre-tournament exhibition, where the USA dominated with an 8-0 victory, highlighting their depth and special teams efficiency. Germany, coached by Tobias Abstreiter, will rely on NHL-drafted talents like David Lewandowski and Maxim Schäfer to provide a defensive challenge and spark an upset. While the U.S. is the heavy favorite on home ice, questions remain regarding their goaltending hierarchy between Nick Kempf and Caleb Heil.
How To Watch Germany vs USA Live From Anywhere
To watch the Germany vs. USA opening game of the 2026 WJC from anywhere, your primary options depend on your region. In the United States, the game is exclusive to NHL Network, which can be streamed without cable via Fubo or Sling TV (with the Sports Extra add-on). Canadian viewers can watch on TSN (TSN1, TSN3, TSN4) or stream via the TSN app.
For fans in other countries, IIHF.tv provides live streaming of all tournament games, though territorial blackouts apply in regions with domestic broadcast deals. If you are traveling outside your home country, using a VPN (like ExpressVPN or NordVPN) allows you to connect to a server in your home region to access your local subscription services like Fubo or TSN.
Germany vs USA Team Lineups & Star Players
Team USA enters the 2026 opener with a star-studded roster featuring eight returning gold medalists. The attack is spearheaded by top NHL prospects James Hagens (Boston Bruins) and Cole Eiserman (NYI), with Max Plante (Detroit) anchoring the center depth following Trevor Connelly’s injury. Defensively, Cole Hutson (Washington Capitals)—the record-breaking scorer from previous tournaments—leads the blueline alongside Adam Kleber (Buffalo Sabres).
Germany counters with high-end CHL talent, led by 6’4″ power forward Maxim Schäfer (Washington Capitals) and playmaker David Lewandowski (Edmonton Oilers). Their defense hinges on Carlos Händel (Montreal Canadiens), while goaltender Linus Vieillard must replicate his previous international success to keep Germany competitive. Despite Germany’s grit, the USA’s overwhelming depth and elite special teams make them the formidable favorites.
Conclusion and Prediction
Given the overwhelming talent gap and the recent 8-0 Exhibition result: Team USA is the unanimous favorite to win their tournament opener. The Americans’ depth, featuring first-round NHL talent across all four lines, will likely prove too much for a German squad that is currently in a rebuilding phase.
Prediction:
While Germany will play with their trademark grit and defensive structure, it lacks the high-end scoring depth to keep pace with the U.S. transition game. Expect the American power play, led by James Hagens and Cole Hutson, to capitalize early. Germany’s best chance lies in a “Wall of Berlin” performance from goaltender Linus Vieillard, but even a heroic effort may only serve to keep the score respectable rather than securing an upset.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When and where is the game being played?
The game takes place on Friday, December 26, 2025, at the Grand Casino Arena (Xcel Energy Center) in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 PM local time (CT) / 6:00 PM ET.
3. Are tickets still available for Germany vs. USA?
Yes, single-game tickets for the preliminary round are available through Ticketmaster and the official tournament website (2026.worldjunior.hockey). Prices for this specific matchup start around $32–$39 plus fees.
4. Is Trevor Connelly playing for Team USA?
No. Unfortunately, Trevor Connelly was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a lower-body injury during a pre-tournament exhibition game against Germany on December 21.
5. What happened in their last meeting?
The two teams met in a pre-tournament “tune-up” game just five days ago. Team USA won 8–0, showcasing significant offensive depth, though Germany is expected to play a more conservative, defensive style in the official opener.
6. Who are the “players to watch” for Germany?
Keep an eye on Maxim Schäfer (Washington Capitals prospect) and David Lewandowski (Edmonton Oilers prospect). Goaltender Linus Vieillard is also a key returnee who will need a massive performance to keep the game close.
