The Fischer affair puts the brakes on euphoria.

February 13, 2026, Milan: The Santa Giulia Arena in Milan is shaking, a deafening roar echoing through the oval. The culprit: around 10.000 Swiss fans, who refuse to let their spirits be dampened by the 1-5 defeat against Canada. I'm there – and I leave the stadium with one thought: "These Swiss ice hockey enthusiasts and their passion will make the upcoming World Championship unforgettable." Three months later: As I set off from St. Ulrich on the more than six-hour drive to Fribourg, I'm still convinced of this. Nevertheless, a feeling of unease is growing in my stomach: Because, just before the first home World Championship in 17 years, a major scandal is shaking Swiss ice hockey to its core.

On state television SRF , in forums, in the blatant View or on the increasingly popular internet portal Watson The discussion isn't about superstar Nico Hischier, controversial nominations, or the dream of gold, but about coach Patrick Fischer. The 50-year-old announced in mid-April that he had obtained a forged Covid certificate in connection with the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. He did so via the Telegram app, paying 400 Swiss francs for it. However, the successful coach was caught, and in July 2023, he was fined 40.000 Swiss francs (around 43.600 euros) for forgery. The case only became public in April 2026.

Patrick Fischer, more than just a coach A storm of outrage swept across Switzerland. Fischer was suddenly the talk of the town, among young and old, fans and laypeople alike. Many found his behavior unacceptable and demanded his resignation, while others, like the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation, rallied behind the successful coach. Only after mounting media pressure and the threat of consequences from international bodies was Fischer dismissed – just one month before the start of the World Championship.

Roman Josi stood up for Patrick Fischer. © AFP / PIERO CRUCIATTI

This decision triggered a veritable earthquake in Switzerland. Fischer was far more than just a coach. He was a figurehead, a beacon of hope. The man who was supposed to make the dream of Switzerland's first gold medal in World Championship history a reality. As an active professional, he competed in six World Championships and two Olympic Games, and the Zug native had been in charge of the national team since 2016. With him at the helm, the Swiss reached three finals, all of which they lost. The most recent were in 2025 (against the USA) and 2024 (against the Czech Republic). The home World Championship was meant to be the crowning achievement of his glorious coaching career with the national team. Instead, his tenure ended with his dismissal and irreparable damage to his reputation. Appeals and demands to bring Fischer back fell on deaf ears. Even NHL superstar Roman Josi wrote to the federation's leadership, but they did not reverse their decision.

Cadieux is under great pressure About a month has passed since these events. In Switzerland, only the most optimistic fans still believe in a World Championship title. Part of the reason for this is the absence of star forward Kevin Fiala, who broke his left lower leg in the aforementioned game against Canada. Above all, however, the Swiss fear that Fischer's dismissal could have extinguished the magic of the last World Championships.

One thing is certain: Jan Cadieux, who won the Swiss championship with Servette Geneva in 2023 and the Champions Hockey League (CHL) in 2024, has big shoes to fill – and he is not to be envied. He will inevitably be measured against the successes of his predecessor, which are exceptional in Swiss hockey history. The pressure on Cadieux is enormous. After the Fischer affair, the entire Swiss hockey community is watching him very closely. An early exit would be music to the ears of many critics, who already felt vindicated after a crushing 1-8 defeat in a friendly against Sweden at the end of April. At least victories against the Czech Republic (6-1) and Finland (5-4 in a shootout) before the start of the World Championship somewhat lifted spirits.

The moment of truth arrives this Friday evening at 8:20 p.m. when Switzerland faces the USA in Zurich in a rematch of last year's final for their opening World Championship match. A victory against the young, inexperienced US team could put the heated discussions of recent weeks to rest, at least for now. A defeat, on the other hand, would revive the Fischer nostalgics and further dampen the already subdued enthusiasm. These are hardly ideal conditions for the kind of national celebration the organizers are hoping for at this World Championship.

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The Fischer affair puts the brakes on euphoria.

The Ice Hockey World Championship returns to Switzerland this year after a long 17-year absence. Before the official start on Friday, one issue is casting a shadow over the tournament: Patrick Fischer's forgery of documents. The question remains: How will the Swiss react to this affair?

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