The IIHF has decided Russia will stay out of several major tournaments in 2026-27, keeping the country on the sidelines for another international hockey cycle.
In a statement, the governing body said, "The Council determined that Russia will not be allowed to participate in (these) IIHF Championships during the 2026-2027 season due to ongoing safety, security and sporting integrity concerns,".
That means the Russian Ice Hockey Federation will not be able to enter teams in the 2027 IIHF Men's Championship, Men's World Junior Championship, U18 Women's World Championship and U18 Men's World Championship.
The question of Russia’s place in the 2027 IIHF Women's World Championship is still unresolved for now. The IIHF said that eligibility for that event will be reviewed in November 2026, following its event-by-event approach to the ban.
Russia has been barred from IIHF competition since 2022, after the invasion and war in Ukraine. The situation briefly shifted in May, when the IIHF Disciplinary Board annulled the larger governing body's decision to keep Russia out of the 2026-27 schedule, saying there was not sufficient evidence.
But the ban ultimately remained in place.
Russia is still finding some openings in international sport. Russian athletes are set to compete in the 2028 Summer Olympics after the International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its suspension of the ROC.
And Russian hockey players will also be part of the upcoming NHL All-Star Game, which will include Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States and a "World" team made up of international players, including those from Russia.
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