IIHF Council Bars Russian and Belarusian Hockey Players from 2027 World Championships
The International Ice Hockey Federation's Council has decided to exclude Russian and Belarusian players from the 2027 Men's World Championship and junior tournaments due to ongoing safety and integrity concerns. The Russian Hockey Federation stated it will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Council of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has decided not to allow Russian and Belarusian hockey players to participate in the 2027 World Championships. This decision applies to the men's tournament, the under-20 junior championship, as well as the under-18 boys' and girls' tournaments. A separate decision regarding the women's World Championship will be made in November 2026.
The IIHF stated that the decision was made due to "ongoing concerns about safety and the integrity of the sport." The Russian Hockey Federation (FHR) announced it will appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). In its statement, the FHR said it does not accept the IIHF's position, which it claims ignores the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and contradicts the idea of sport as a unifying force.
Russia and Belarus were banned from international tournaments following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In July 2026, the IOC temporarily reinstated the Russian Olympic Committee's membership and lifted recommended restrictions on Russian athletes and teams, including the requirement to compete under a neutral flag. Despite this, the IIHF Council maintained the ban, citing persistent safety concerns.
