Court orders Russia's return to ice hockey world championships

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Russia must be allowed to participate in the 2026-27 ice hockey world championships, reversing decisions by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) that had excluded Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported.

CAS cited a lack of sufficient evidence to support the IIHF's security concerns as the basis for overturning the ban, according to DW English. The ruling covers multiple tournaments including the men's and women's world championships.

The first event where Russia can return is the men's world junior championship starting December 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Canada, as noted by Al Jazeera. The ruling also affects the men's world championship in Germany next May and the women's championship scheduled for November 2027 in Canada, according to DW English.

The IIHF expressed disappointment with the CAS ruling, maintaining that its original decisions were necessary to ensure the safety and security of all participants and to protect the integrity of its competitions, Al Jazeera and DW English reported.

Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov welcomed the CAS decision, stating on social media that the court recognized the demands of the Russian Hockey Federation as justified, per both sources.

The ruling presents a challenge for the new IIHF President Franz Reindl, especially with Ukraine also qualified for the men's world championship hosted by Germany, Al Jazeera noted. CAS did not address whether Russia must compete without national symbols or other organizational conditions.