Finland claimed the men’s title for the third time in 2019 with victory over Canada in the final before losing to their arch-rivals in 2021.

The Finnish team responded by winning gold at the Winter Olympics in Beijing, defeating the Russian Olympic Committee in the final.

Twenty-seven-time winners Canada will be aiming to retain their world crown and will be among the favourites again at this year’s World Championship.

Finland will have home advantage with the tournament taking place in the cities of Tampere and Helsinki.

They are due to begin their campaign tomorrow with a clash against Norway.

The United States, who secured bronze in 2021, and 11-time champions Sweden are also in Group B along with Latvia, Britain and Austria.

Canada have been drawn in Group A alongside Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Denmark, Kazakhstan, Italy and France.

Russia and Belarus were due to compete in the event before being banned in response to the war in Ukraine.

France and Austria were named as their replacements.

The top four teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

Competition is set to start tomorrow and run until May 29.