On February 28, 2022, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) decided to exclude Russia and Belarus from international ice hockey matches until further notice.
- We are in a war situation and as long as it is going on it is not relevant that they participate, said the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation's chairman Anders Larsson at the time.
Since then, Russia has not participated in international ice hockey.
On January 21, 2026, the IIHF Board of Directors analyzed whether Russia should be reintegrated for the 2026–2027 season. For security reasons, the board decided that Russia should continue to be excluded.
The Russian Ice Hockey Federation appealed the decision to the IIHF Disciplinary Committee.
On 25 May 2026, the disciplinary committee annulled the board's decision. This does not mean that Russia should be reintegrated, but the board must reconsider the decision because the disciplinary committee does not consider the justification valid.
On July 30, 2026, the board again concluded that Russia should not be allowed to participate. They now refer to security risks and sporting integrity as grounds for the suspension.
The Russian Ice Hockey Federation also opposes the IIHF's new decision, and the matter goes on to the sports court of arbitration Cas.
On October 30, 2026, Cas announced that a panel consisting of three lawyers has reviewed the matter and concluded that there is not a strong enough basis for the IIHF's decision to continue to exclude Russia.
The Cas panel does not consider organizational implications, but simply examines whether the IIHF's bylaws give the IIHF the right to exclude Russia on the grounds stated.
Therefore, Cas orders the IIHF to allow Russia to participate in the U18, Junior and Senior World Cups on both the men's and women's sides starting with the Junior World Cup in Canada, which begins in December 2026.
If the IIHF had argued differently, the outcome could possibly have been different. The International Curling Federation excluded Russia, citing that possible defections from other countries could threaten the integrity of the competitions. They qualified against the Russian Curling Federation in Cas on October 13, 2026.
On November 2, 2026, the Swedish furniture company AJ, which has sponsored the Ice Hockey World Cup since 1989, announced that they do not want the company logo to be visible during the World Cup in Germany in 2027 because Russia is allowed to participate.
Finland announced that they do not intend to compete in matches with Russia as the opposing team, and the German Ice Hockey Federation CEO Frank H Lutz said that Germany is considering withdrawing from hosting the men's World Cup in May 2027.
On November 3, 2026, Denmark, Norway and Latvia communicated that they also refuse to play against Russia. Later, Sweden announced the same thing and then the Czech Republic made a similar announcement.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney then said that Canada will not allow Russia to compete in the Junior World Cup being played in the country at the turn of the year. In addition, the Canadian government announced that the country will bar Russian players and leaders from entering the country.
On 7 November 2026, Switzerland declared that they will not play Russia in this winter's JVM.
On November 8, 2026, the Norwegian Ice Hockey Federation wrote in a press release that they have received information from the IIHF stating that Russia will take Norway's place in the JVM in Canada. The fact that Norway in particular loses its place is due to the nation being the lowest ranked in the championship. The other confederations have also received a schedule where Russia has replaced Norway.
- I feel strongly about the Norwegian junior national team, which has qualified for the JVM, but is now at risk of losing its place. It is difficult to see it as anything other than unfair, said the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation's general secretary Tony Wirehn.
Questions not yet answered
● How will Canada ensure that Russia is not in JVM?
Although Canada's prime minister has said that Russia will not join the JVM, it is unclear how he will ensure that the promise becomes a reality. Canada can deny visas to Russian players, thus preventing them from entering the country. But Russia can put together a JVM squad of players who play in Canadian club teams and thus already live in Canada. In addition, Ca's demand on the IIHF to give Russia a place in the tournament remains.
● Is it possible to organize a World Cup when so few are lining up against Russia?
If the updated JVM schedule comes to fruition, where Russia has replaced Norway, Russia will face the following teams in the group stage: Switzerland, Latvia, Czech Republic and Canada.
Three of the four teams have said they will not play their match against Russia. Failure to appear in a match results in an automatic loss and may result in disqualification. At the same time, four teams from each group will go to the quarter-finals. How the IIHF will organize the JVM - and future world championships - is still unclear.
● Will Russia replace Ukraine in the men's World Cup in May?
There is more time for the men's ice hockey World Cup in May than for the Junior World Cup. But given that Norway, as the lowest-ranked team, loses its place in the JVM, it could be that Russia replaces Ukraine in the men's WC. There, it is Ukraine that is ranked lowest of the qualified national teams.
On Saturday, November 7, the IIHF wrote on its website that the confederation continues to disapprove of the Cas decision, but that it is investigating how it can now secure the championships, the long-term future of the sport and the organization's financial stability.
In the communique, the IIHF also wrote that they will now discuss the way forward with the national confederations – including the Russian one.
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