Photo: IIHF
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to allow Russian national teams to return to international competitions under its jurisdiction from the 2026/27 season. The ruling covers tournaments including senior and junior world championships.
The decision was published by CAS.
CAS overturns ban on Russian teams
CAS upheld an appeal by the Russian Ice Hockey Federation and overturned five IIHF Council decisions that had kept Russian national teams excluded from international tournaments.
The IIHF must therefore enable Russian teams across different age categories to participate in the relevant competitions during the 2026/27 season, including world championships.
CAS concluded that the IIHF’s arguments concerning security and other risks were not supported by sufficient evidence.
However, the court did not separately rule on whether Russian players should be allowed to compete under their national flag and other national symbols.
IIHF responds to CAS ruling
The IIHF expressed disappointment with the verdict but confirmed that it respects CAS’s authority and will comply with the decision.
The federation said the previous restrictions had been necessary to ensure the safety of all participants and protect the integrity of the sport.
It also highlighted the organizational challenges involved in readmitting Russian teams. These include potentially changing competition formats, schedules, logistics, accommodation arrangements and security measures.
The IIHF said it would urgently assess the steps required and the timeline for implementing the CAS ruling.
Which world championships are affected?
According to the IIHF, the CAS ruling concerns five international tournaments scheduled for 2027:
- Men’s World Championship;
- World Junior Championship;
- Women’s World Championship;
- Men’s Under-18 World Championship;
- Women’s Under-18 World Championship.
- Russian teams have been excluded from IIHF competitions since February 2022, following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The federation repeatedly extended the restrictions, citing security concerns.
Following the CAS ruling, the IIHF is required to arrange the return of Russian national teams to these tournaments. However, the specific timeline and practical arrangements still need to be determined.
