Norway, Denmark and Sweden have said their national teams will not play Russia at next year’s men’s Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany. The federations cited the ongoing war in Ukraine, geopolitical tensions and concerns about the safety of players and coaching staff.
The announcement follows a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last week allowing Russia to return to International Ice Hockey Federation events. The ruling reversed the IIHF’s exclusion of Russian teams after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Norway’s federation said its position was based on the current situation and the information available to it. It added that Norway would play its other group matches as scheduled and maintained that Russia should remain excluded from international championships while the war continues.
Denmark’s federation president, Henrik Bach Nielsen, said the country could not see itself playing Russia under the current circumstances, warning that such a match could end in chaos. Sweden’s federation also confirmed its refusal to face Russia. Its president, Anders Larsson, said the position had been agreed with several other countries and that Russian participation in international ice hockey was unthinkable while the war continued.
The 90th men’s World Championship is scheduled to take place from May 13 to 30, 2027, in Düsseldorf, Gelsenkirchen and Mannheim. Norway, Denmark and Sweden said they would compete in their other matches.
The CAS decision has drawn opposition from European hockey federations, host cities and sponsors, with potential boycotts also raised over the 2028 World Junior Championship in Finland. Finland’s federation said it would use all available means to keep Russia out of international competitions, while its official Heikki Hietanen said Finland would not play Russia. Turku officials have said the city would give up hosting the junior tournament if Russia is allowed to compete.
Sponsors have also responded. Swedish furniture company AJ Products said it would withdraw its sponsorship of next year’s tournament because of Russia’s participation. Finnish company Nokian Tyres said it would end its 2027 championship sponsorship if Russia is allowed to compete. The IIHF was not immediately available for comment.
Sources: Folha Esporte.