Following an IIHF Council meeting, the International Ice Hockey Federation today confirmed that their ban on Russian and Belarusian teams, dating back to their invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, was extended through the 2026-27 hockey season.

Citing security reasons, the IIHF extended the ban to a sixth straight season, as the Russian-led invasion is reaching its four-year anniversary, with little signs of slowing down. The ban will continue to restrict Russia and Belarus’ national men’s, women’s and junior teams from participating in, or hosting, international tournaments through at least the 2027 IIHF World Championships, at which point a decision about the following season is due.

With 2026-27 being the first full season following the Milan Olympics, which did not see any athletes competing under the Russian or Belarusian flag, the IIHF did mention that they will consider the International Olympic Committee’s recommendation of re-integrating youth players in the Under-18 division in the 2027-28 season, contingent on safety and security risks. However, the reactions and potential backlash from other member associations of the IIHF will remain to be seen, given this would be the first attempt at reintegrating any Russian or Belarusian players back into international hockey in half a decade.

The ban also means that Russia and Belarus will be ineligible for both the 2027 Men’s World Championships in Germany, while the Russian women’s team (as Belarus has none) cannot play at this or next year’s Women’s Worlds in Denmark. The under-20 junior squads for both Russia and Belarus will miss the 2027 World Juniors in Canada, with the 2028 edition in Finland, a border nation who has taken a strong stance against the invasion, serving as the first potential major tournament they can return to in the 2027-28 season.

Photo Credit: 2018 World Championship – IIHF – HHOF – IOC