Russia excluded from 2027 World Junior Championship due to Canadian visa restrictions

The International Ice Hockey Federation confirmed on November 16, 2026, that Russia will not participate in the 2027 World Junior Championship. This exclusion follows a decision by the Canadian government to deny visas to Russian players, staff, and officials for the tournament. The championship is scheduled to take place from December 26, 2026, to January 5, 2027, in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.

Visa and hosting decisions

The International Ice Hockey Federation decided to maintain Canada as the host for the tournament after assessing alternative arrangements. The decision to exclude the Russian team stems from Canadian government restrictions regarding entry for Russian personnel. Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport, Adam van Koeverden, stated that Russian athletes will not participate in the World Juniors as long as Russia and Belarus support the war in Ukraine.

This development follows a warning issued by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on November 3, 2026. The tournament's location in Alberta remains set despite the complexities regarding international participation. While the tournament proceeds in Canada, other nations have taken similar stances regarding competition against Russia. Finland, Sweden, Czechia, Latvia, Denmark, and Norway previously announced they would not compete against Russia while the war in Ukraine continues.

Legal rulings and federation responses

The exclusion comes despite a previous ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. On October 30, 2026, the Court of Arbitration for Sport issued a ruling ordering the International Ice Hockey Federation to reinstate Russian teams. This specific ruling covers five tournaments, including the women's world championship scheduled for November 2027 in Quebec City.

The Russian Ice Hockey Federation has criticized the decision to exclude the nation from the junior championship. The Russian Ice Hockey Federation called the decision unlawful and announced plans to appeal the matter to the International Olympic Committee. The Russian Ice Hockey Federation claimed the decision was made for political reasons and violated legal principles and equality.

Tournament structure and historical context

The Norwegian Ice Hockey Association confirmed that its under-20 team has been reinstated to Group A in Edmonton. This reinstatement was reported by North American and Asian media outlets. The current situation reflects a broader trend in international sports, as Russia and Belarus have been excluded from international hockey competitions since 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine.

The International Ice Hockey Federation maintains that it is complying with the specific restrictions set by the Canadian government. The tournament in Edmonton and Red Deer will proceed with the remaining participating nations as scheduled for the 2026-2027 winter season.

Glossary

• Edmonton — Edmonton is a location where the tournament is scheduled to take place.
• Red Deer — Red Deer is a location where the tournament is scheduled to take place.
• Alberta — Alberta is a province where the tournament's location remains set.
• Secretary of State for Sport — The Secretary of State for Sport is a government position held by Adam van Koeverden.
• Court of Arbitration for Sport — The Court of Arbitration for Sport is an entity that issues rulings and handles appeals regarding arbitration hearings.