Canadian government says Russian players with visas will still be barred from WJC

OTTAWA — The federal government says Russian athletes who hold valid visas to play in Canada will not be permitted to participate in the 2026 world junior hockey championship in Alberta.

A statement released Wednesday says the government’s position will not change as long as Russia continues its war in Ukraine.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled last month that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) must reinstate Russia in international hockey. The countries had been banned since Russia invaded Ukraine with Belarusian assistance in 2022.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said last week Russian and Belarusian athletes could not compete in Canada despite the CAS decision.

Hockey federations from several nations, including Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Norway, have said their teams will refuse to compete against Russian players.

There are Russians with valid visas playing in the Canadian Hockey League, the umbrella organization for the country’s three top major junior hockey leagues.

Russians and Belarusians were banned from the CHL’s import draft from 2022-24 before being allowed back in. According to the CHL, Russia led this year’s draft with 32 of the 114 players selected.

The world junior championships begin Dec. 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer.


This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 11, 2026.

The Canadian Press