When the IIHF decided to go ahead with its plan to hold the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship, the concern was how so many teams, with so much personnel, were going to travel from all across North America and Europe to enter the bubble in Edmonton, Alberta.
Several teams dealt with COVID-19 issues earlier in the fall, and those players recovered in time to attend the tournament. Sweden was forced to scramble in the days leading up to their departure to replace players, trainers, and an entire coaching staff that has tested positive, but did get a squad together.