Sports · Other Sports · 3 hrs ago
Seven hockey federations reject schedule involving Russia at youth world championship
Seven national hockey federations have not approved a schedule involving Russia for the youth world championship.
The dispute concerns Russia’s place in the 2027 tournament, which is due to be held in Germany.
Russia is set to replace Norway in the event, while Norway would be relegated.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled on October 30 that the International Ice Hockey Federation must ensure Russian teams can compete in 2026–27 tournaments.
Germany’s hockey chief says boycotts could threaten the tournament, and changing the schedule could bring financial risks for organizers, with about 250,000 tickets already sold.
Canada has told the IIHF it will not issue visas to Russians taking part in the championship.
The IIHF is being urged to decide soon whether Russia will participate, but no final decision is stated.
Seven national hockey federations have not approved the schedule for the youth world championship involving Russia, according to German Hockey Federation chairman Frank Lutz.
Lutz urged the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to decide Russia’s participation as soon as possible.
He said schedule changes for the 2027 world championship in Germany could create significant financial risks for organizers, with about 250,000 tickets already sold.
Lutz warned that teams refusing to play Russia could threaten the tournament.
Canada has told the IIHF it will not issue visas to Russians for the youth championship.
- Who
- Seven national hockey federations have not approved the schedule. Frank Lutz, chairman of the German Hockey Federation, discussed their position.
- What
- The disagreement concerns a youth world championship schedule involving Russia and Russia’s participation in international competitions.
- When
- The report was published on November 11, 2026. The youth championship is in 2027.
- Where
- The 2027 world championship mentioned by Lutz is in Germany. Canada has said it will not issue visas to Russians for the youth championship.
- Why
- Lutz said the IIHF needs to resolve Russia’s participation because teams could refuse to play Russia, while schedule changes could create financial risks.
Seven national hockey federations
Russian Hockey Federation and the Court of Arbitration for Sport
Tournament participation
Seven national hockey federations
The seven federations have not approved the schedule involving Russia.
Russian Hockey Federation and the Court of Arbitration for Sport
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered the IIHF to ensure Russian teams can participate in 2026/27 season tournaments, including the youth world championship.
Playing Russia
Seven national hockey federations
Lutz warned that refusals to play Russia could threaten the tournament.
Russian Hockey Federation and the Court of Arbitration for Sport
The Russian team is set to take part in the youth championship after the court ruling.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport granted an appeal by the Russian Hockey Federation and ordered the IIHF to ensure Russian teams could participate in 2026/27 season tournaments, including the youth world championship.
The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation said Russia would replace Norway at the 2027 youth world championship, with Russia in Group B and Norway relegated.
It became known that Canada would not issue visas to Russians for the youth world championship, and that the country had informed the IIHF.
- Federations
- Seven national hockey federations did not approve the schedule involving Russia
- 2027 world championship
- To be held in Germany
- Tickets sold
- About 250,000
- Russian team placement
- Tenth in the ranking; Group B
- Norway
- Relegated after Russia replaced it
- Canada
- Told the IIHF it would not issue visas to Russians for the youth world championship
What people are saying
We understand that a decision cannot appear out of nowhere in one day. But for us, it is unthinkable to drag this issue out for several more weeks.