Tkachuk Commits to Team USA for 2026 World Championship, Eyes Repeat Gold

Matthew Tkachuk has a message for anyone thinking Team USA would coast after Olympic gold: wrong.

The Florida Panthers star appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Thursday and confirmed his plan to play for Team USA at the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland. USA Hockey announced its preliminary roster on May 7, naming Tkachuk for the first time because the Panthers missed the NHL playoffs this season.

The tournament starts May 15 in Zurich and Fribourg. The Americans aim to win back-to-back gold medals there for the first time.

Tkachuk left no doubt about his expectations. "Well, I sure as hell hope so," he told McAfee when asked if the U.S. would win. "[We're] not going over there for a vacation."

Team USA won the 2025 IIHF World Championship for the first time since 1933, beating Switzerland 1-0 in overtime on Tage Thompson's goal. Jeremy Swayman stopped 25 shots in the victory, ending a 92-year drought.

Canada holds the record with 28 titles, the last in 2023. Russia follows with 27, including Soviet wins. The U.S. has three, one from 1960 when the Olympics doubled as the world event.

That world title served as an appetizer to the main course: Olympic gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games. The Americans beat Canada there, with Jack Hughes scoring the winner and Connor Hellebuyck excelling in net. It marked their first Olympic men's hockey gold since 1980.

The run has boosted U.S. hockey interest, driving high TV numbers for the NHL since the Olympics.

The momentum extends beyond the top level. In the IIHF World Junior Championship, Canada won 10 golds from 2005 to 2023 while all others combined for nine, including four for the U.S. But the Americans took gold in 2024 and 2025, with Sweden winning in 2026.

Canada once ruled international hockey. Now the U.S. has won the World Championship, Olympic men's and women's gold, and two straight junior titles since Canada's last.

Tkachuk said this will be his first world championship. Past years clashed with NHL playoffs, contract issues or season fatigue. After playing for the U.S. in February, he wants the jersey again.

"I think it’s just such an honor to wear a USA jersey," Tkachuk said. "Going here a few months later, I still have that feeling that I had representing back in February in Milan. It’s like, how could I not want to be a part of that again?"

McAfee noted the U.S. world title last year and joked hockey feels American now. "We won the big one," Tkachuk replied of Olympic gold. "That’s all that matters."

Staying on top poses challenges, especially without full NHL rosters due to playoffs and injuries. Still, a repeat would matter. Team USA opens against Switzerland on May 15, rematching last year's final—in Switzerland.