Switzerland and Canada Secure Semi-Final Berths in Milano Cortina 2026 Men’s Curling
London, 18 February 2026 – The round-robin stage of the Men’s Curling event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is reaching a dramatic conclusion at the Cortina Olympic Stadium. Switzerland and Canada have officially become the first two nations to qualify for the semi-finals, maintaining dominant form throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, Great Britain’s medal hopes hang in the balance following a series of narrow defeats, leaving Bruce Mouat’s rink in a “must-win” scenario for their final fixture.
Switzerland Unbeaten as Round-Robin Nears End
Yannick Schwaller’s Swiss team has emerged as the standout performers of the Games, sitting at the top of the standings with a perfect 7-0 record. Their qualification was secured following a tense 6-5 extra-end victory over Great Britain. Canada, led by skip Brad Jacobs, sits closely behind in second place with a 6-1 record, having recently defeated Great Britain 9-5 to confirm their own progression to the knockout stages.
In contrast, the defending Olympic champions, Sweden, have seen their title defence effectively ended. After suffering a fifth round-robin defeat at the hands of Germany, the Swedish rink is unlikely to advance to the final four. Italy and Norway remain in contention, currently tied with 4-3 records as the battle for the remaining semi-final spots intensifies.
Men’s Curling Olympic Standings
The following table represents the current standings as of 18 February 2026, with two days of round-robin play remaining.
| Nation | Win-Loss Record | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 7-0 | Qualified for Semi-Finals |
| Canada | 6-1 | Qualified for Semi-Finals |
| Italy | 4-3 | In Contention |
| Norway | 4-3 | In Contention |
| Great Britain | 3-4 | Must win final matches |
| Germany | 3-4 | In Contention |
| Sweden | 2-5 | Elimination likely |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams qualify for the playoff round?
In the Olympic format, the top four teams from the round-robin stage qualify directly for the semi-finals. This differs from the World Championships, which often use a six-team playoff format.
Where do Olympic curling stones come from?
All Olympic curling stones are crafted from unique common green and blue hone granite sourced from Ailsa Craig, an uninhabited island located approximately 10 miles off the coast of Ayrshire, Scotland.
What are the dimensions of the curling house?
The “house” consists of a series of concentric rings. The innermost circle, known as the button, is 1 foot in diameter. This is surrounded by rings with diameters of 4 feet, 8 feet, and 12 feet respectively.
What is the status of Team GB?
Following a 9-5 loss to Canada and a 7-6 defeat to Norway, Great Britain must win their final round-robin match against the USA and rely on other results to stay in the competition.