Court of Arbitration for Sport rules for Russia, putting Ukraine's place at the hockey World Championship at risk

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which settles disputes in international sport, has ruled that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) must allow Russia's national teams to return to international tournaments immediately. The decision also affects the men's ice hockey World Championship, to be held in Germany in May 2027. Ukraine's team qualified for it for the first time in 20 years and could be removed to make room for Russia.

Background

Russia was barred from international hockey tournaments after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as it was in other team sports. This year those bans began to be reviewed. In May, the IIHF's disciplinary committee told the federation's leadership to reconsider excluding Russia's teams from the 2026–2027 season. The leadership kept the ban, citing safety, security and sporting integrity concerns. Russia successfully challenged that decision at CAS.

The court ruled that Russian teams must be allowed into five tournaments: the men's World Junior Championship in Canada, the women's U18 World Championship in Czechia, the men's U18 World Championship in the United States, the men's World Championship in Germany (May 14–30, 2027) and the women's World Championship in Canada.

Opposition and practical obstacles

The hockey federations of Canada, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Latvia, Austria, Norway, Denmark and Ukraine condemned the ruling. Only the Slovak and Belarusian federations backed it. Canada's sports minister, Adam van Koeverden, pointed to restrictions on Russian athletes at events that receive Canadian government funding, while Czechia has a law barring Russian citizens from sporting events. Frank Lutz, chief executive of the German Ice Hockey Federation, did not rule out Germany giving up the championship.

Four of the five tournaments have already confirmed their teams and schedules, and tickets are on sale. If the men's championship keeps its 16-team format, Russia would probably have to replace the lowest-ranked team, which is Ukraine.

The IIHF said it disagreed with the decision but recognized CAS's authority and would comply. It can still appeal to the Swiss Supreme Court, and some decisions may come at its Council meeting on November 2–3.