Canada bars Russia and Belarus from world junior hockey championship despite sports court ruling
Canada will not allow Russian or Belarusian hockey players to represent their countries at the upcoming World Junior Ice Hockey Championship in Alberta, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on November 3, defying a recent sports arbitration ruling that cleared the way for Russia's return to international competition.
"While Russia and Belarus are supporting this illegal, unjustified, horrific war in Ukraine, as long as that's going on, there will be none of those athletes competing for their countries in Canada," Carney told reporters.
"So, if you're asking specifically about the world juniors, the Russians will not be there."
The tournament is scheduled to begin on December 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.
Carney's announcement follows an October 30 ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturning International Ice Hockey Federation decisions that had excluded Russia from competitions during the 2026–27 season.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Immigration Minister Lena Diab and Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden subsequently issued a joint statement reaffirming the government's position.
They said Canada would not allow international sporting events to confer legitimacy or prestige on states responsible for Russia's war against Ukraine.
European teams refuse to face Russia
Several European hockey federations have also announced that they will not play against Russian teams.
Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Norway, Denmark and Latvia have expressed opposition to Russia's return, with some citing security concerns for players and staff.
The dispute could also affect the 2027 men's world championship in Germany.
Finnish tire manufacturer Nokian Tyres has said it will withdraw its sponsorship if Russia participates. Swedish furniture company AJ Products has also objected to having its logo displayed at games involving Russia.
Ukraine welcomes Canada's decision
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha thanked Canada for preventing Russia from using international hockey to rehabilitate its reputation.
"Moscow still believes it can hide its crimes behind hockey jerseys," he said.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also backed the federal government's position, noting that the province is home to approximately 70,000 Ukrainians displaced by Russia's invasion.
Russian Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov criticized the decision, telling state news agency TASS that politics should not interfere with junior hockey.
Russia and Belarus have been excluded from major international ice hockey competitions since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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