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Russia may replace Ukraine in 2027 IIHF World Championship

Russia could take Ukraine’s place in the elite division of the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship after the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned IIHF’s exclusion of Russian teams. The tournament has a fixed field of 16 teams, and Ukraine has yet to receive an official decision on whether it will remain in the competition.

Key points

  • CAS overturned IIHF’s decision to exclude Russia from international hockey and ordered it to admit Russian teams to several competitions.
  • Russia may take Ukraine’s place in the elite division of the 2027 men’s Ice Hockey World Championship.
  • Ukraine qualified by finishing second in the 2026 Division I A tournament, securing promotion for the first time in 20 years.
  • The elite-division championship is scheduled for May 14–30, 2027, in Germany.
  • The tournament field remains fixed at 16 teams.
  • A 2022 IIHF scenario allows Russia to replace the Division I runner-up if sanctions are lifted.
  • IIHF technical decisions on Russia’s entry and Ukraine’s participation were expected the following week.

Why it matters

Ukraine earned promotion to the elite division for the first time in 20 years, but could lose the place it won through competition. With the field fixed at 16 teams, IIHF must resolve questions about Russia’s admission, scheduling and previously distributed television rights. The case also shows the continuing consequences of Russia’s exclusion from and subsequent legal reinstatement in international ice hockey.

What happened

The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned IIHF’s decision to exclude Russian teams from international hockey and ordered the federation to admit them to several competitions, including the 2027 men’s Ice Hockey World Championship. A 2022 IIHF scenario provides that Russia may return to the elite division in place of the team finishing second in Division I. Ukraine finished second in the 2026 Division I A tournament and was the last team to receive promotion. As the tournament field remains limited to 16 teams, Russia could take Ukraine’s place. No official IIHF decision on Ukraine’s participation had been announced, and technical decisions were expected the following week.

How Ukrainian sources describe it

Ukrainian coverage focused on the threat to Ukraine’s newly earned place and the reactions of national-team players. Oleksii Vorona, Yevhen Fadeiev and Viktor Zakharov described the CAS decision as shocking, unjust and absurd in Ukraine’s circumstances. They called on the federation and players to communicate with IIHF, continue seeking participation and strive to earn their place competitively.

How international sources describe it

International reporting emphasized the legal consequences of the CAS ruling and the requirement for IIHF to admit Russian teams. Attention also focused on the fixed field of 16 teams, scheduled matches, already distributed television rights and other logistical issues. The existing 2022 IIHF scenario allows Russia’s possible return to displace the team that finished second in Division I.

Background

Ukraine qualified for the elite division by finishing second in the 2026 Division I A tournament and was the last team to receive promotion. In 2022, IIHF approved a theoretical scenario under which Russia could return to the elite division after sanctions were lifted, replacing the Division I runner-up. The 2027 championship is scheduled for May 14–30 in Germany.