Russia is back in the ice hockey world championships after sports court ruling

Russia must be allowed to return to the ice hockey world championships, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled on Friday, overturning an exclusion in place since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The ruling is a major win for Russia against efforts to bar it from international sports due to the war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin is a noted hockey fan who has previously played exhibition games with former stars.

CAS overturned IIHF decisions which excluded Russia from events in the 2026-27 season including the men’s and women’s world championships. Russia also missed the Olympics tournaments this year.

Russia’s return throws into uncertainty how the men’s world championship will work next year in Germany, given that Ukraine has also qualified.

Ruling cites lack of evidence on security

In a brief statement, CAS cited a lack of sufficient evidence to support the IIHF’s security concerns.

CAS said its ruling did not address issues such as whether Russia should be required to play without national symbols as a team of neutral athletes, as in some other Olympic sports, or other “organizational consequences.”

The IIHF expressed disappointment with the ruling and said it “maintains that its decisions were necessary to protect the safety and security of all participants and safeguard the integrity of its competitions.”

“While the IIHF respects the authority of CAS and will act in accordance with its ruling, the outcome does not remove the concerns that informed its assessments.”

Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov wrote on the Telegram social media app that CAS “recognized the demands of the Russian Hockey Federation on key points as justified.”

Russia’s return brings uncertainty

The ruling is an immediate challenge for new IIHF President Franz Reindl, whose home country of Germany hosts the men’s world championship next year.

The German hockey federation chairman Frank H. Lutz said on Friday that Germany remains opposed to letting Russia take part and that “allowing Russia in has significant security, political and financial consequences for us as hosts.”

It’s not clear how Russia would fit back in, since the draw has already been made.

Adding an extra team would make for uneven groups and an even longer tournament to fit in more games.

Kicking out a qualified team to make way for Russia would risk a backlash, especially if that team is Ukraine. It was last to qualify for the men’s worlds, ending a 20-year wait, and is ranked lowest among the 16 teams currently taking part.

The Ukrainian Hockey Federation did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The IIHF signaled “practical arrangements” would be decided after it has assessed the ruling.

Russian return likely to start at world juniors

The first tournament where Russia could return is the men’s world junior championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Canada, starting on Dec. 26.

Other events covered by the ruling are the women’s world championship in Canada next year and under-18 world championships in 2027 in Minnesota and the Czech Republic.

In the history of the men’s worlds, Russia’s or the Soviet Union’s 27 titles are second only to Canada’s 28. Russia last won the gold medal in 2014. Russia’s best result at the women’s worlds is bronze.

Since 2022, Russia has organized exhibition games with developmental rosters, mostly against neighbors Belarus and Kazakhstan. The IIHF has also excluded Belarus, citing the same concerns as it did for Russia. There was no mention of Belarus in the CAS ruling on Friday.

Russia also seeking return to soccer

Russia’s next focus could be soccer, where its national teams and clubs remain excluded from major competitions.

The Russian soccer federation general secretary Maxim Mitrofanov said it should be “one rule for all” in comments reported by state news agency Tass.

FIFA and European governing body UEFA have barred Russian teams from World Cup qualifying and the Champions League since 2022, when FIFA told CAS that boycott threats by Russia’s upcoming opponents risked making the World Cup “chaotic.”

FIFA allowed a Russia boys’ team to play under its national flag in the inaugural Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan, which began last week and ends on Saturday.

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James Ellingworth And Graham Dunbar, The Associated Press