Sports · Other Sports · 3 hrs ago
Russia’s return to international hockey could cost Ukraine its World Championship place
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered hockey’s international federation to readmit Russian teams to international tournaments.
Russia’s teams were barred after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The ruling affects several tournaments in the 2026–2027 season, including the men’s World Championship in Germany in May 2027.
Because the tournament’s places were set without Russia, Ukraine could lose its place if organizers give Russia a spot rather than add another team.
The schedules are already published for most affected tournaments, and tickets are on sale for some, making changes difficult.
Some host countries may restrict Russian athletes’ entry, while Germany’s hockey federation has said it could give up hosting the men’s championship if Russia is admitted.
Officials are expected to decide how to apply the ruling in the coming week, but the tournament plans remain uncertain.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation to allow Russian national teams to return to international tournaments.
The ruling could cost Ukraine its place in the 2027 men’s World Championship, whose teams were set before Russia’s possible return.
The IIHF has not yet explained how it will implement the ruling, and Sweden’s ice hockey association says technical decisions are expected in the next week.
Several hockey federations condemned the ruling, while Slovakia and Belarus supported it.
Some sponsors and host-country officials have opposed or raised concerns about Russia’s participation.
- Who
- Russia’s national hockey teams, the IIHF and CAS are at the center of the dispute; Ukraine could lose its place in the men’s World Championship.
- What
- CAS ordered the IIHF to admit Russian teams to international tournaments, creating uncertainty over tournament places and participation.
- When
- CAS issued its ruling on October 30, 2026; it concerns tournaments in the 2026–2027 season.
- Where
- The ruling concerns international hockey tournaments, including events in Germany, Canada, Czechia and the United States.
- Why
- Russia challenged the IIHF’s decision to maintain its exclusion, and CAS ruled in Russia’s favor.
Russia’s return supporters
Russia’s return opponents
CAS ruling
Russia’s return supporters
CAS ordered the IIHF to allow Russian national teams to compete in international tournaments.
Russia’s return opponents
Several national hockey federations condemned the ruling, and Sweden’s association says Russia cannot participate.
Tournament entry
Russia’s return supporters
Russia’s teams are to be allowed into the tournaments covered by the ruling.
Russia’s return opponents
Opponents say Russia’s return could displace Ukraine, the last team to qualify, and some have called for travel restrictions.
Russia’s national teams were barred from international tournaments.
The IIHF disciplinary committee instructed federation leaders to reconsider the exclusion of Russia’s teams for the 2026–2027 season.
CAS ordered the IIHF to allow Russian teams into international tournaments.
Andrii Sybiha called for governments to deny Russian players entry, and Finland’s foreign minister said she would act to block them from Finland.
Anders Larsson said the IIHF’s technical decisions on implementing the ruling would be made.
- CAS ruling
- Ordered the IIHF to admit Russian national teams to tournaments in the 2026–2027 season
- Potentially affected team
- Ukraine, described by Larsson as the last team to qualify
- Men’s World Championship
- Scheduled for May 2027 in Germany
- Tournament dates
- May 13–30, 2027, according to Vedomosti
- Swedish sponsor
- AJ Products ended its support for the 2027 tournament after the ruling
- Finnish position
- Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said she would act to block Russian athletes from entering Finland
5 sources
Ukraine is back at the hockey World Championship after 20 years. A ruling in Russia’s favor could knock it out before the tournament begins.
Спонсор ЧМ по хоккею отказался от сотрудничества с IIHF из-за допуска России
Zulassung Russlands – Turku droht mit Rückgabe der Junioren-WM 2027
Finland says its national teams won’t play against Russia in hockey tournaments
Foreign Minister Sybiha calls for Russian athlete travel ban as Moscow's ice hockey return risks forcing Ukraine out
What people are saying
By letting Russian hockey back, CAS is staining the ice with Ukrainian blood
From the Swedish side, we have had, and still have, a clear opinion that ... Russia cannot participate
This is how sports regulatons work, and we have to follow it. It feels anything but good
We’re looking at a scenario in which we would give up the world championship. I’m optimistic, but I can’t guarantee 100% that the championship will take place in Germany in May 2027
Posts on X
By letting Russian hockey back, CAS is staining the ice with Ukrainian blood. Russia has not stopped its war. It has not stopped killing Ukrainians. It has not stopped its relentless attacks on our cities. So what exactly has changed to justify the return of its national ice
Jos Venäjä jatkaa hyökkäyssotaansa, ei venäläisurheilijoilla ole ensi vuonna Suomeen asiaa. Aion edistää tarvittavia toimia tulevina päivinä. Lokakuun ulkoasiainneuvostossa kirjelmöin EU-kollegoille, että rajoittaisimme venäläisurheilijoiden pääsyä koko Schengen-alueelle.