According to a report by Latvian outlet SportsCentrs.com, it was stated at the recent IIHF congress meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, as part of the ongoing men's World Championships, that Russia would be barred.
According to SportsCentrs translated report, "it was decided that, based on correspondence between the IIHF and the International Olympic Committee (IOC)."
In February, the IIHF decided that Russia would remain suspended from IIHF World Championship competitions for the 2025-26 season.
"Following its latest meeting this morning, the IIHF Council believes it is not yet safe to reintegrate the Russian and Belarusian National and Club Teams to its championships for the 2025-2026 season," the IIHF wrote in a statement in February. "As the current security conditions do not allow the necessary requirements for the organization of tournaments guaranteeing the safety of all, the IIHF must maintain the current status quo until further notice."
Russia participated in the 2022 Winter Olympics.
This year, four Russian players are expected to attempt to join the PWHL. Three Russian players - Anna Shokhina, Fanuza Kadirova, and Vita Ponyatovskaya - declared themselves eligible for the 2025 PWHL Draft. As well, 2024 PWHL Draft pick Ilona Markova plans to return to North America for another shot at cracking the Boston Fleet's roster, or making another PWHL team.
If Russia is in fact out of the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, it would mean France will enter the tournament.
More to come once the IOC makes an official ruling.
