Bilder des Tages - SPORT Eishockey, WM Spiel um Platz 3, Russland - USA 160522 Rysslands Alexander Ovechkin far bronsmedaljen efter bronsmatchen i Ishockey-VM mellan Ryssland och USA den 22 maj 2016 i Moskva. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxONLY Copyright: LUDVIGxTHUNMAN BB160522LT036 Images the Day Sports Ice hockey World Cup Game to square 3 Russia USA 160522 Rysslands Alexander Ovechkin Far efter bronsmatchen I Ishockey VM Periods Ryssland och USA the 22 Maj 2016 I Moskva PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxONLY Copyright LUDVIGxTHUNMAN
Bilder des Tages - SPORT Eishockey, WM Spiel um Platz 3, Russland - USA 160522 Rysslands Alexander Ovechkin far bronsmedaljen efter bronsmatchen i Ishockey-VM mellan Ryssland och USA den 22 maj 2016 i Moskva. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxONLY Copyright: LUDVIGxTHUNMAN BB160522LT036 Images the Day Sports Ice hockey World Cup Game to square 3 Russia USA 160522 Rysslands Alexander Ovechkin Far efter bronsmatchen I Ishockey VM Periods Ryssland och USA the 22 Maj 2016 I Moskva PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxONLY Copyright LUDVIGxTHUNMAN
The International Ice Hockey Federation made a notable announcement on Friday. Russia's ban from IIHF competitions has been annulled. But that does not mean the country is back in just yet.
Russia has been out of IIHF events since February 2022. It has kept Russian teams out of world championships and other major tournaments.
In January 2026, the IIHF Council reviewed the situation. They decided not to reintegrate Russia for the 2026-27 season. Safety and security concerns were the main reasons.
The Russian Ice Hockey Federation then appealed that decision. On May 25, the IIHF Disciplinary Board ruled in their favour. The board annulled the January decision.
However, the board was clear about one thing. This does not mean Russia is automatically back. The matter has been sent back to the IIHF Council for another review.
Going forward, the IIHF will look at things differently. Russia's eligibility will be reviewed on an event-by-event basis. Each tournament will be considered on its own merits.
Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev shared his thoughts on Telegram. He said the disciplinary board found the arguments to keep the ban insufficient. "We are continuing our painstaking legal work," he wrote.
The IIHF Council also spoke about the bigger picture. "The IIHF has always believed in the importance of the international hockey family staying connected through sport," it said in a statement. For now, Russia's hockey future remains a waiting game.
IIHF Allows Three Belarusian National Teams to Participate in World Championships
While Russia waits, Belarus has received some good news. The IIHF has cleared three Belarusian national teams to compete in the 2026-27 season. Like Russia, Belarus has been banned since 2022.
The three teams that will return are specific. They include the men's under-18 junior national team. The women's junior national team and the women's senior national team are also cleared.
The men's junior team has a tournament to look forward to. They will take part in the world championship in the United States. That event is set for April and May of 2027.
The Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation welcomed the news. Federation chairman Aliaksandr Bahdanovich called it "an important and positive step for Belarusian hockey." He said the goal now is to bring all Belarusian teams back as soon as possible.
The IIHF Council said the decision was not made lightly. "Based on the assessments conducted and ongoing consultations with relevant stakeholders, we believe this can be done in a safe, responsible, and controlled manner," the council said.
Written by
Sahil Prashar
Edited by
Sahil Prashar