IIHF Bars Belarus From 2027 Worlds, Weighs Russia Ruling

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has decided not to admit the men’s and under-20 national teams of Belarus to the 2027 World Championships, the governing body announced. The decision was adopted in accordance with principles established during the extraordinary IIHF Semi-Annual Congress in 2022 following the outbreak of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, state news agency Ukrinform reported.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The exclusion applies to both the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship and the flagship 2027 IIHF Men’s World Championship. The IIHF Council reached the determination after the federation’s Disciplinary Board partially upheld an appeal filed by the Belarus Ice Hockey Association against an earlier council ruling issued on July 27, 2026. However, the disciplinary panel concluded that there are no legal grounds requiring the immediate reinstatement of Belarusian national teams to international tournaments. In confirming the exclusion, the IIHF Council cited practical organizational and operational arrangements for both championships, including established tournament structures, broadcast schedules, ticketing logistics, and multi-year event preparations. Taking those parameters into account, the council affirmed that Belarusian teams will not take part in the 2027 competitive calendar. How is the IIHF responding to the CAS ruling on Russia? Separately, the federation addressed the legal situation surrounding the Russian Ice Hockey Federation following a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Hits 2 Iskander Launchers, Pantsir in Bryansk Ukrainian forces have struck two Iskander ballistic missile launchers and a Pantsir-S1 air defense system in Russia’s Bryansk region. The IIHF stated that while it continues to disagree with the CAS ruling overturning its exclusion of Russian national teams, the governing body will adhere to the legal measures stipulated by the arbitral award. “The IIHF continues to disagree with the CAS decision regarding the participation of Russian teams in IIHF championships, but will take the measures provided for by it,” the federation said. Federation officials said they are evaluating the necessary conditions to safeguard international competitions, ensure organizational financial stability, and preserve the long-term development of global ice hockey. The IIHF emphasized that it must operate within applicable legal boundaries while striving to protect sports competitions from disruption. To identify a workable approach, the federation plans to conduct consultations with affected member national associations, including the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, to formulate a path forward that aligns with the broader interests of world hockey. Background of the CAS ruling The IIHF’s statement follows an arbitral award by CAS that overturned the federation’s suspensions barring Russian national teams from the 2026–2027 international season, encompassing both men’s and women’s world championships. The CAS determination prompted sharp condemnation from Kyiv. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha criticized the tribunal, stating that “by allowing Russian hockey to return, CAS stains the ice with Ukrainian blood” and describing the decision as unacceptable while Russian missile and drone strikes continue against Ukrainian civilians. Sybiha appealed to allied democratic governments that retain a moral compass to bar Russian athletes from entering their territories through national visa restrictions. The potential readmission of Russian squads creates severe logistical and political complications for the 2027 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Germany. The Ukrainian national team has already qualified for the tournament, raising the prospect of boycotts, diplomatic protests, and security challenges for host organizers. The dispute over ice hockey forms part of a wider trend in international sports administration. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) recently chose Moscow as host city for the 2030 World Championships, marking the first time an Olympic sports body has awarded a flagship event to Russia since the launch of the 2022 invasion. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.