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IIHF Keeps Belarus Out of 2027 Tournaments as Russia Return Looms

Belarusian teams are barred from the 2027 World Junior and Men’s World Championships while the IIHF weighs Russia’s return under a CAS ruling.

Sources: Essentially Sports, Daily Hive, Profile3 sources ↓|· 1 min read
IIHF Keeps Belarus Out of 2027 Tournaments as Russia Return Looms
Photo: Essentially Sports

KEY POINTS

  • Belarus barred from 2027 World Junior and Men’s World Championships
  • IIHF Disciplinary Board partially upheld Belarus’s July 27 exclusion appeal
  • CAS ruled on October 30 that Russia must be allowed to return
  • Norway demoted to Division 1A as Russia takes its World Juniors spot
  • Belarus considering another CAS appeal

The International Ice Hockey Federation has confirmed that Belarusian national teams will not take part in the 2027 World Junior Championship or the 2027 Men’s World Championship.

The federation cited tournament arrangements, including competition formats, schedules, ticketing, and operational planning, as reasons for keeping Belarus out.

The decision followed a ruling by the IIHF Disciplinary Board that partially upheld Belarus’s appeal against the federation’s July 27, 2026, exclusion, though the board said it had no legal grounds to order immediate reintegration.

Meanwhile, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled on October 30 that Russia must be allowed to participate in upcoming events, starting with the 2027 World Junior tournament in Alberta.

The Norwegian Ice Hockey Federation said on Sunday that Russia will take Norway’s place at the World Juniors, demoting Norway to Division 1A.

Norway’s secretary general Petter Salsten said his country opposes Russia’s participation while the war in Ukraine continues and warned of practical challenges from immediate reinstatement.

Belarusian officials have questioned the IIHF’s reasoning and are considering further legal action, including another appeal to CAS.

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