The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the IIHF ban that had kept Russia out since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, opening the door to the 2027 World Championships in Germany.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled on Friday that Russia must be allowed back into international ice hockey competition, ending a ban that has lasted more than four years. CAS sided with Russia's appeal of a July International Ice Hockey Federation ruling that had kept the country out through the 2026-27 season.
The IIHF had argued that including Russia raised safety concerns, but CAS found those reasons "were not supported by sufficient evidence." The decision clears the way for Russia to compete in the 2027 IIHF Men's World Championship, set for Germany next May, where a 16-team field has already been determined. CAS did not specify how Russia's participation should actually be arranged.
The IIHF banned Russia's member association in February 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, a move mirrored by nearly every other Olympic sport federation at the time. That stance has been shifting since July, when the IOC lifted its own blanket ban on Russian Olympic committees and said its recommendations no longer bind individual federations.
Ukraine, which only recently qualified as the last team into the upcoming World Championship field, is reportedly appealing the ruling. The NHL is also now facing questions about Russia's status for its international events.