Sunday's men's hockey final between the USA and Canada will be the climactic point of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Despite numerous speculations, President Donald Trump has declined a personal visit to Italy, citing duties in Washington. However, FBI Director Kash Patel will be in the stands. The sporting emotions are heightened by the tense political atmosphere between the North American neighbors and the return of NHL stars to the Olympic ice.

Dream Hockey Final

The USA and Canada will face off in an Olympic final for the first time since 2010, featuring the biggest NHL stars.

Trump Cancels Visit

The US President will not appear in Italy; the country will be represented by FBI Director Kash Patel.

Final Polish Highlight

Cross-country skier Eliza Rucka-Michałek will start in Sunday's 50 km classic technique race.

Sunday's gold medal clash in ice hockey between the United States and Canada is electrifying fans worldwide. It is the first Olympic tournament in 12 years to feature the best players from the professional NHL league. The Americans, led by a new generation of talent, dream of repeating the legendary "Miracle on Ice" from 1980. Meanwhile, Canada, as a nine-time Olympic champion, aims to reclaim the supremacy lost after the Sochi Games. The rivalry has a deep political subtext, stemming from recent statements by the US president-elect regarding the potential annexation of Canada as the 51st state and tariff disputes. The USA-Canada hockey rivalry, commonly called the "Battle for America," was born at the dawn of the sport in the late 19th century. The first official Olympic hockey tournament took place in 1920 in Antwerp (during the Summer Games), and Canada dominated the discipline for decades before the USA became an equal rival. Although Italian media had been preparing for Donald Trump's visit for days, the White House ultimately did not confirm his arrival. According to reports from the newspaper "Corriere della Sera," the president decided to remain in the country to oversee economic issues and trade disputes. In his place, Kash Patel, the new FBI Director and a declared hockey fan, will attend the match. The closing ceremony itself will take place in the ancient amphitheater in Verona, where the Olympic flame will be extinguished in the presence of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. For Polish fans, the final highlight will be Eliza Rucka-Michałek's start in the 50-kilometer cross-country ski race. 46 lat — Americans have been waiting for another Olympic gold in hockey Besides hockey, the final day of the Games will bring resolutions in curling, where Switzerland will battle Sweden for gold, and in four-man bobsleigh. In the ice channel in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Swiss pilot Michael Vogt, currently in fourth place after half the competition, is fighting for a medal. The entire event will conclude with the official closing ceremony, intended as a tribute to Italian culture and Verona's operatic tradition. Final Day of the 2026 Games: 22 lutego, 06:00 — Pubs Open in Ontario; 22 lutego, 10:00 — Eliza Rucka-Michałek's Start; 22 lutego, 14:10 — USA - Canada Hockey Final; 22 lutego, 20:00 — Closing Ceremony Potential of Hockey Giants: Last Gold: USA (1980) → Canada (2014); Number of Titles: USA: 2 → Canada: 9; Team Star: Auston Matthews → Connor McDavid

Mentioned People

  • Donald Trump — US President, who declined to attend the hockey final and the Games' closing ceremony.
  • Kash Patel — FBI Director, who will represent the USA at the Olympic hockey final.
  • Connor McDavid — Captain of Team Canada and one of the world's best hockey players.
  • Eliza Rucka-Michałek — Polish cross-country skier competing on the final day of the Games.