IIHF Says Russia Will Remain Barred From Four World Championship Tournaments in 2027
Russia will miss the men's World Championship and other IIHF events after the federation cited safety, security and sporting integrity concerns.
- On Thursday, the IIHF confirmed Russia and Belarus remain excluded from major 2026-27 events, including the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship and World Junior Championship, citing "ongoing safety, security and sporting integrity concerns."
- Russia and Belarus have faced exclusion since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a sanction that extended to their absence from this year's Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics and prompted the IIHF's event-by-event assessment approach.
- While the IIHF Council will review eligibility for the IIHF Women World Championship in November 2026, this stance contrasts with the International Olympic Committee, which recently eased restrictions on Russian athletes under 23 ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
- In response, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation announced plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, stating it "neither accepts nor understands the IIHF's shortsighted position," which it claims "ignores the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee."
- Upcoming tournaments remain impacted as the continued suspension prevents Russian players from representing their country in events like the Men World Championship, which Germany is scheduled to host in May.
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43 Articles
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has decided to extend the ban on the Russian and Belarusian national teams for the 2026/2027 season, citing ongoing security, safety and sporting integrity concerns.
The Toronto Star
IIHF says Russia will remain barred from four world championship tournaments in 2027
ZURICH (AP) — The International Ice Hockey Federation said Thursday that Russia will not be allowed to participate in four tournaments next year after a review by the organization’s council.
IIHF says Russia will remain barred from four world ice hockey championship tournaments in 2027
The IIHF cited ongoing safety, security and sporting integrity concerns in its announcement. The sport’s governing body said in May it would determine Russia’s eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
Russia banned from 2027 IIHF men's world championship and three other tournaments in 2026-2027. The decision on the women's team will be considered in November 2026.
Since 2022, Russia and Belarus have been excluded from World Hockey Championships. Now, the World Federation has decided whether this will remain the case at the tournament in Germany.
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