The Ice Hockey World Championship is an annual international tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). It features national teams from around the world competing for the title of world champion. The tournament typically takes place in May and includes both preliminary rounds and knockout stages. Countries participate in the championship based on their performance in previous tournaments and their ranking in the IIHF World Ranking. The event showcases top talent in ice hockey and is a significant occasion for fans, with many games held in various host cities across different nations.