IIHF Make Statement Regarding Russian, Belarusian Participation In Upcoming International Tournaments

Since the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) decision to reinstate Russia to participate in international hockey competitions, several other countries have threatened to boycott IIHF tournaments.

Even Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would not allow the Russian U-20 World Junior Championship team to participate in the tournament taking place in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta., this winter.

The IIHF has come out with a statement on Saturday regarding CAS's decision and the participation of Russia and Belarus in their competitions.

"In accordance with the principles approved by the 2022 IIHF Semi-Annual Congress, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Council has decided that Belarusian U20 and senior men’s national teams will not participate in the IIHF World Junior Championship 2027 and the IIHF World Championship 2027, respectively.

"Separately, while the IIHF continues to disagree with the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) concerning Russian participation in IIHF Championships, we are taking the necessary steps required by the CAS ruling and reviewing what conditions would need to be met to safeguard our Championships, protect the organization’s financial stability and secure the long-term future of international ice hockey."

Belarus and Russia's international hockey programs have been banned from competing in IIHF tournaments since Feb. 28, 2022, and were not allowed to feature in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

Their banishment from international hockey is directly related to Russia's invasion on Ukraine in 2022.

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