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Ice hockey-Ice hockey federation reiterates opposition to Russian reinstatement
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) says it still opposes reinstating Russian teams, despite a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that overturned their exclusion from international competition. The dispute has put next year’s men’s World Championship in Germany in doubt, as several countries say they will not play Russia.
The IIHF cited visa and entry requirements, security, logistics and the effect on competition formats as practical and sporting challenges. Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Latvia and Finland have said their teams will refuse to play Russia; Turku has also threatened to withdraw as a host for the 2028 World Junior Championship. Canada says Russia and Belarus will be barred from the upcoming junior tournament in Alberta, prompting criticism from Russian officials.
In short
- The IIHF continues to oppose Russia’s reinstatement.
- Six countries say they will not play Russian teams.
- Canada will exclude Russia and Belarus from its junior championship.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The IIHF can argue that reinstatement should depend on whether tournaments can be run safely and fairly in practice, not solely on the legal status of the ban. Visa, security and scheduling concerns, alongside several teams’ stated refusal to play Russia, could disrupt competition and burden host nations, so keeping the exclusion in place may protect players and the event’s integrity.
The case against
Russia’s strongest case is that the CAS ruling overturning its exclusion should have meaningful effect, and continued non-reinstatement risks treating Russian teams differently despite that decision. Sporting bodies should apply consistent rules and avoid letting political pressure or other teams’ threatened boycotts determine eligibility; excluding Russia also deprives its athletes of international competition.
Explained simply
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) runs international ice hockey competitions, including the men’s World Championship. Russia and Belarus were excluded from these events after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Court of Arbitration for Sport hears disputes in sport; its ruling overturned Russia’s exclusion, but the IIHF controls entry to its competitions.
The dispute involves the IIHF, Russia’s hockey authorities and national teams that could be drawn to play Russia. Several European countries have said they would refuse to play, while Canada has barred Russian and Belarusian teams from an upcoming junior tournament. The disagreement matters because teams’ participation affects tournament schedules, host arrangements and whether competitions can go ahead as planned.