Norway has announced that it has been excluded from the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championship, with Russia set to take its place at the tournament. The Norwegian Ice Hockey Federation reported that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) subsequently notified them that Russia would replace Norway at the upcoming junior championship. Norway was the lowest-ranked team at the event.
As of 10 November, the IIHF had not yet publicly announced information regarding Norway's exclusion. The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation reported receiving a revised competition schedule listing Russia. In an official statement, the federation noted that it is consulting with national federations, host country authorities and organisers on next steps following the court ruling.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ordered the governing ice hockey body on 30 October to allow Russian teams to participate in five championships. CAS determined that there was insufficient evidence to justify security risks as a reason for extending the ban, which was introduced after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. CAS did not specify whether Russia could compete under a neutral flag.
The IIHF stated that it disagrees with the decision but will implement it. German Franz Reindl heads the IIHF. Host country governments continue to decide who is allowed to enter their territory.
Canada stated that it will prevent the Russian team from participating in the tournament. Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada will not allow hockey players from Russia or Belarus to participate in the World Junior Championship. Canadian Minister of Sport Adam van Koeverden stated that the status of "neutral" applies exclusively to individual athletes. The World Junior Championship is held in December in Alberta.
Eight of the 16 teams participating in the senior men's World Championship have stated they would refuse to play against Russia. Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Norway and Sweden say they will refuse to play against Russia. Switzerland said its juniors will compete in Alberta, but will miss the 27 December match against Russia according to the revised IIHF schedule.
Sweden has called on the European Commission to tighten visa rules for athletes representing Russia or Belarus. Finland is preparing restrictions on short-term work visas intended for Russian athletes in various sports, according to Finnish public broadcaster Yle. Czech Interior Minister Lubomir Metnar said that existing rules prevent him from issuing short-term visas to Russian players for the under-18 women's championship in January in Ostrava. The German government stated that opposition from the team and sponsors has made holding the men's championship in May with Russia "practically impossible", while Berlin has left open the possibility of refusing visas, saying it will assess applications individually.
The Finnish city of Turku stated that it will withdraw from co-organising the 2028 World Junior Championship in Finland with Tampere if Russia competes. Company AJ Products, a sponsor of the men's championship since 1989, withdrew from the 2027 tournament. If Russia participates, Nokian Tyres will end its sponsorship, Škoda Auto will review its involvement, and Strauss will remove its logos and consider a full withdrawal.
The International Olympic Committee temporarily lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee on 7 July and withdrew recommended restrictions for Russian athletes and teams. The IOC had previously called on sports federations to again allow Russian and Belarusian juniors to participate in individual and team competitions.
Ukraine qualified for the top men's league for the first time since 2007. Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi said that Ukraine intends to compete, but will refuse to play against Russia.
The CAS decision applied only to Russia. Belarus has been excluded since the country supported Moscow's invasion. On 7 November, the IIHF confirmed that Belarus will miss the junior and men's championships, citing existing tournament arrangements. Belarusian federation president Aleksandar Bogdanovič questioned the differential treatment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that countries opposing decisions allowing Russia to participate in international sport are violating the rights of both Russian athletes and democratic institutions. Russian Sports Minister Mihail Degtjarev told Vesti that the expectation that Russia would withdraw was the height of hysteria. Degtjarev described what he called Swedish fears of psychological trauma as simply idiotic. He said Russia would prove its superiority on the ice and that opponents would concede the match. He added that countries blocking Russia risk losing their hosting rights, which the IIHF council can revoke after review, and that Moscow will ask the IOC to monitor Canada and Germany.
