Ice Hockey Federation Objects to Russia's Return as Six Nations Refuse to Play Them
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has said it maintains its disagreement with the decision to reinstate Russian teams in international competition.
Last week the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned the federation's exclusion of Russia. The exclusion followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In a statement on Wednesday, the IIHF warned that the immediate reintegration of Russian teams presents significant practical and sporting challenges.
The federation said the issues it presented to the CAS included visa and entry requirements, security provisions, logistical constraints and consequences for competition formats.
Norway, Denmark, Sweden and the Czech Republic have already announced that their national teams will refuse to play against Russia at next year's men's World Championships in Germany.
Latvia and Finland have also said their teams will not play Russia.
The Finnish city of Turku has threatened to drop hosting duties for the 2028 World Junior Championship if Russia returns.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Russia and Belarus will be barred from the upcoming World Junior Championship in Alberta.
Moscow criticised the move, with Russian ambassador Oleg Stepanov telling the state-run news agency TASS that Canada was bringing politics even into junior hockey.
The IIHF said it remains in dialogue with national associations, host authorities and organisers to determine the best path forward.
Czech carmaker Skoda Auto, the main sponsor of the ice hockey world championships, said on Wednesday it would reassess its sponsorship if Russia takes part in the tournament.
Skoda told the AFP news agency in a statement that Russia's return was incompatible with the values it has consistently upheld.
Skoda Auto, a unit of Germany's Volkswagen, has been the tournament's official main sponsor since 1993. It also sponsors the Tour de France.
Its spokeswoman Ivana Povolna refused to specify the amount Skoda spends on the ice hockey world championships annually. Skoda's annual report for 2025 says the company lent 45 electric cars to the organisers, while its designers made the crystal trophy for the most valuable player of the tournament.
