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Russian ice hockey player Evgeni Malkin during the World Ice Hockey Championship. (Image Credit: ID 69697325 © Edips | Dreamstime.com)
By Josh Hall
possible change for red deer world juniors

IIHF, various hockey feds respond to CAS decision on Russia

Oct 30, 2026 | 11:56 AM

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced Friday morning that Russia has won an appeal to be allowed back into events run by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).

That includes the upcoming World Juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer this December, though there’s no immediate word on how Russia will or may be shoehorned in.

Russia has been banned, along with Belarus, since early 2022 when the war in Ukraine began. Belarus is not impacted by the ruling.

In a statement, the IIHF says it disagrees with the ruling having immediate effect, and maintains that its decisions on Russia were necessary to protect the safety and security of all participants and safeguard the integrity of 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,” it says,

“The ruling also has significant practical implications for competitions already at an advanced stage of preparation. Changes to participation require extensive coordination with the relevant Member National Associations, organizing committees and host authorities, including a review of competition formats, schedules, travel and accommodation arrangements, and safety and security measures. These decisions made by CAS do not consider the practical elements which cannot be implemented immediately.”

In addition to the almost here World Juniors, the ruling concerns Russian participation in the following championships:

  • IIHF Men’s World Championship 2027
  • IIHF Women’s World Championship 2027 (November 2027)
  • IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship 2027
  • IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship 2027

The IIHF notes it will urgently assess the steps and time required to give effect to the ruling and address its operational consequences.

“The safety of all participants and the integrity of each championship will remain central to this work.”

rdnewsNOW has reached out to Hockey Canada for comment, but we are yet to hear back.

Meanwhile, several other international hockey federations have released statements, seen below courtesy TSN:

The Hockey Federation of Ukraine, meanwhile, said it respects the authority and status of the CAS, but also expresses deep indignation at such a decision being made in the conditions of a full-scale war. Its full statement is here.

It was just this past July when the IIHF reiterated that Russia would remain on the outside looking in after a decision from its own council.

by Josh Hall