The 1996 World Cup of Hockey was an international ice hockey tournament held from August 30 to September 14, 1996. It featured teams from North America, Europe, and Russia, competing for the championship. The tournament was notable for its best-of-three series format in the semifinals and finals, which added excitement to the matches. The United States emerged as the champion, defeating Canada in the final series. This event marked the first World Cup of Hockey, replacing the previous Canada Cup format. The tournament showcased top players from the NHL and helped promote international ice hockey competition.