Canada have been placed in Group A for the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, after winning this year's title yesterday by beating Finland ©Getty Images

The groups have been announced for the 2022 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Ice Hockey World Championship, scheduled to be held in Finland.

Groups are based on the 2021 IIHF men’s world rankings which were finalised following the conclusion of the 2021 IIHF World Championship, which saw Canada beat Finland 3-2 in overtime yesterday to take the gold medals and the title.

Holders Canada will go into Group A along with ROC, ranked third, Germany, ranked fifth, Switzerland, ranked eighth, Slovakia, ranked ninth, Denmark, ranked 12th, Kazakhstan, ranked 13th and Italy, ranked 17th.

Finland, who have been placed in Group B at the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, will be looking to go one better on home ice next year ©Getty Images
Finland, who have been placed in Group B at the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, will be looking to go one better on home ice next year ©Getty Images

Group B features hosts Finland, ranked second, along with the United States, ranked fourth, the Czech Republic, ranked sixth, Sweden, ranked seventh, Latvia, ranked tenth, Norway, ranked 11th, Belarus, ranked 14th and Britain, ranked 16th.

Group A matches are set to take place at the Helsinki Arena in Helsinki with the new Tampere Deck Arena in Tampere due to host Group B games.

The Championships are scheduled to take place from May 13 to 19.

Canada’s victory over Finland in Latvia was a reversal of the 2019 final, while the United States took bronze yesterday with an emphatic 6-1 win against Germany.