IIHF extends Russia's exclusion from four major 2027 ice-hockey tournaments

The International Ice Hockey Federation’s council has ruled that Russia will miss four major tournaments scheduled for 2027, including the World Junior Championships, the senior World Championships and both under-18 men’s and women’s competitions. Officials said ongoing concerns over safety, security and the integrity of the sport drove the decision. A separate verdict on the women’s senior world championship is pending and will be announced in November.

Russia’s exclusion follows a broader sporting boycott that started after its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and it persists despite the International Olympic Committee’s recent provisional reinstatement of the Russian Olympic Committee. Team sports at the Olympics remain barred for Russia. The NHL, together with the NHL Players’ Association, which will host the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, indicated it will follow the lead of the IIHF and IOC when evaluating Russian participation in future competitions.