Nordic nations refuse to play Russia
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Six European hockey federations said they will not play Russia at the 2027 World Championship.
The boycott covers over a quarter of the tournament's teams.
Background
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the sport's governing body, banned Russia from its competitions in February 2022 after President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine, and extended the ban annually. On Oct 30, 2026, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled Russia must be admitted to the world championships after an appeal by the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, finding the IIHF's safety and security justifications were not supported by sufficient evidence. The IIHF opposed the ruling, and European federations, host cities and sponsors pushed back, prompting the boycott pledges.
How it unfolded
- Feb 2022Russia is banned from IIHF competitions after Putin launches the invasion of Ukraine.
- May 13, 2026 -30, 2027The 90th Men's Ice Hockey World Championship is due to be held in Düsseldorf, Gelsenkirchen and Mannheim, Germany; the draw took place without Russia included.
- Oct 30, 2026The Court of Arbitration for Sport rules Russia must be admitted to the world championships, saying the IIHF's safety justifications lacked sufficient evidence.
- Nov 2, 2026Finland's ice hockey federation says it will use all possible means to prevent Russia's reinstatement.
- Nov 3, 2026Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia and the Czech Republic say their national teams will not play Russia; Sweden reverses its earlier position that a boycott was off the table.
- Nov 3, 2026The boycott movement is reported to include more than a quarter of the nations set to take part in the tournament.
Who’s saying what
- Nordic
- Norway says it will not play Russia at the 2027 World Championship, citing significant security risks to players, staff and families, and that Russia should be excluded while the war continues.
- Sweden
- Swedish Ice Hockey Association chairman Anders Larsson says the stance is firm and was agreed jointly with several other countries, calling it inconceivable for Russia to take part while the war continues.
- Denmark
- Danish Ice Hockey Union chairman Henrik Bach Nielsen says playing Russia as things stand would end in utter chaos and harm the integrity of the sport.
- Finland
- Finnish federation president Heikki Hietanen says Finland is rallying as many countries as possible into a common front to tell the IIHF none of them will play Russia in the current situation.
- IIHF
- The IIHF voiced opposition to the CAS decision and said it creates significant practical implications.
Still unverified
Germany is reported to be considering withdrawing as host country over Russia's participation, with growing calls in Germany to do so; the Finnish city of Turku has said it will withdraw as co-host of the 2028 world junior tournament if Russia competes and the war has not ceased.