Latvia and Finland are the only candidates to host the 2030 Ice Hockey World Championship 0 9

The men's World Championship this year will take place in the second half of May in the Swiss cities of Zurich and Fribourg, next year's tournament will be held in the German cities of Düsseldorf and Mannheim, the 2028 championship in the top division will take place in the French cities of Paris and Lyon, and the 2029 championship will be held in Slovakia — in Bratislava and Košice.

"For the 2030 championship, we [Latvia and Finland] are the only candidates, and other countries are no longer being considered," Koziols told the LETA agency. "It is economically challenging to organize a championship in one country. We have excellent relations with Finland. Great relations with the Finnish Ice Hockey Federation, shared values, and similar prospects for the development of hockey."

Koziols noted that hockey in Finland is at a higher level than in Latvia, as there are more financial resources there; however, both countries have much in common.

"Why do they choose to host the championship with us? Because holding two groups in one country is a much greater risk," Koziols explained. "It is beneficial for both us and the Finns to organize the championship together. Each year, it becomes increasingly difficult to hold the World Championship. The requirements are growing."

Latvia has previously hosted World Championships in the top division in 2006 and 2021, as well as jointly with Finland in 2023, when the Latvian national team won its first medals at the World Championships — bronze.