The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has not allowed…

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has not allowed Russian athletes to participate in the 2027 World Championship.

Consensus

The IIHF decided on July 30, 2016, to exclude Russian teams from participating in the 2026/2027 season of international ice hockey tournaments.
The exclusion applies to the men's World Championship, junior championships (under 20), and U18 tournaments for both boys and girls.
The decision is based on 'ongoing concerns regarding safety and integrity in sports'.
A separate review will be held in November 2026 regarding the participation of Russia's women's team in the World Championship.
Russia has appealed the decision, with plans to challenge it at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The IIHF also excluded Belarusian athletes from participation in men's and junior World Championships, citing similar reasons. — tg_radiosvoboda
In May, the IIHF Disciplinary Committee annulled an earlier decision to exclude Russia for the 2026/27 season due to insufficient evidence of risk, but this did not automatically restore participation — the matter was sent back to the IIHF Council for re-evaluation. — fontanka
The IIHF considered safety, operational feasibility, and sports integrity when making its decision regarding Russian participation. — vm
In early July 2026, the IOC Executive Board conditionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), which had been in place since October 12, 2023. — tvrain