The Latvian national ice hockey team is gearing up for the upcoming World Championship by participating in a series of friendly matches planned for early April. The team will start their preparation in Riga, where they will host the Austrian national team for games on April 8 and 9 at the Xiaomi Arena. Following these matches, the Latvian players will travel to Lahti, Finland, to compete against the home team on April 22, and they will also face Denmark the next day. This preparation is crucial as it leads into the larger competition ahead.

In May, following their matches in Finland, Latvia's hockey team is set to play two more friendlies in Slovakia on May 2 and 3 against the Slovakian national team. They will also return to Riga on May 6 and 7 to square off against Norway. This series of friendly matches will provide the players with valuable experience and the opportunity to fine-tune their strategies before heading to the World Championship.

The 2026 World Championship will take place in Zurich, Switzerland, where Latvia will compete in Group A. They will face tough opponents including host nation Switzerland, as well as teams from the USA, Finland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Great Britain. Scheduled from May 15 to 31, this championship presents a significant opportunity for Latvia to showcase their ice hockey talent on an international stage, making the upcoming friendly matches even more important for the team's preparation.