- The IIHF Council says Belarus will not play in the 2027 World Junior Championship or World Championship
- The federation still disagrees with the CAS ruling on Russia and is opening talks on how to carry it out
- Read below for the Disciplinary Board ruling and where the Russia fight stands
The IIHF is keeping Belarus out of the 2027 World Juniors and World Championship.
The IIHF Council announced Saturday that Belarusian U20 and senior men’s teams will not take part in either event. The decision follows an IIHF Disciplinary Board ruling that partially upheld the Belarusian Ice Hockey Association’s appeal of the Council’s July 27 decisions. The board also confirmed it had no legal basis to order immediate reintegration.
Check out Kyiv Post’s report on the announcement:
The IIHF explained what went into the call in its statement.
“In reaching its decision, the Council took into account the existing sporting and organizational arrangements for both Championships, including competition structures, schedules, ticketing and operational planning.”
Belarus has been shut out of IIHF play since 2022 alongside Russia. That pairing is why this ruling lands in the middle of the Russia fight.
The IIHF used the same statement to talk about Russia. It said it still disagrees with the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling, but it is “taking the necessary steps required by the CAS ruling.” That includes reviewing what conditions would need to be met to safeguard the championships and protect the organization’s financial stability.
The IIHF also said it is opening discussions with all affected member national associations, including the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, to find a way forward. CAS said in its own public statement that the IIHF never asked it to rule on the fallout from letting Russia back in.
Here’s the IIHF’s Oct. 30 statement from the day the CAS ruling came down:
That fallout is the problem. Six nations have said they would boycott the 2027 Worlds if Russia plays, and sponsors have threatened to pull out. Canada has already said Russia will not play at the World Juniors in Alberta, a stance Wayne Gretzky backed this week.
Belarus is out for 2027. The IIHF still has to answer what it plans to do with Russia.
