Court of Arbitration for Sport Orders IIHF to Return Russian National Teams to World Championships

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has issued a ruling obligating the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to allow Russian national teams to participate in international competitions under the organization's auspices. The verdict concerns the 2026/27 season tournaments, specifically the senior and junior world championships, and was delivered following the review of an appeal filed by the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia. This is reported by Sport RBC.UA with reference to the official CAS ruling.

Essence of the Verdict: Five Decisions Annulled

The arbitration court satisfied the Russian federation's appeal and annulled five decisions of the IIHF Council by which Russian national teams had previously been suspended from international tournaments. Thus, the international federation is obliged to ensure the participation of Russian teams in the 2026/27 season competitions, which means the return of teams across various age groups to the world championships. According to the court, the IIHF's arguments regarding security and other risks were not supported by sufficient evidence.

IIHF Position: Disappointment and Readiness to Implement the Decision

The International Ice Hockey Federation expressed disappointment with the verdict, yet confirmed that it respects the powers of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and intends to comply with its decisions. The IIHF emphasized that previously adopted restrictions were necessary to ensure the safety of all participants and preserve sporting integrity, and noted that the ruling does not eliminate these issues. The federation also drew attention to organizational challenges associated with the return of Russian teams: it will be necessary to review competition formats, schedules, logistics, accommodation conditions, and security measures. The organization stated that it will urgently assess the necessary steps and the timeframe for implementing the verdict.

What Remained Open

The court did not determine separately whether Russian hockey players should compete under national symbols — this issue was not regulated within the framework of this verdict. According to the IIHF statement, the CAS decision concerns five international tournaments in 2027. Specific timelines and practical conditions for implementing the verdict had not yet been agreed upon at the time of publication, leaving room for further organizational and legal procedures.

Context: Suspension Since 2022

Russian teams were suspended from IIHF-run competitions in February 2022 following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine; the federation regularly extended the restrictions, citing security risks. Following the CAS decision, the international federation must organize the return of Russian national teams to tournaments. It was previously reported that Russia received the opportunity to host the world championship in Moscow — for the first time since the start of the full-scale invasion, which increases the organizational burden on the calendar for upcoming seasons.