Russia Seeks Relocation or Cancellation of World Junior Hockey Championships Amidst Canadian Ban
Russia's hockey federation is requesting the relocation or cancellation of the upcoming world junior hockey championships after Canada barred the Russian team from competing.
Odessa Midland, TX, November 12, 2026 — The Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF) has formally requested that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) relocate or cancel the upcoming World Junior Championship. This action comes in response to a decision by Hockey Canada to bar the Russian junior team from participating in the tournament.
The specific details of the RIHF’s request, including proposed alternative locations or specific reasons for cancellation beyond the ban, were not immediately available. The timeframe for the IIHF’s consideration of this request also remains unclear.
Canada, as the host nation for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, had previously announced that Russian and Belarusian teams would not be permitted to compete. This decision aligns with broader international sporting sanctions imposed on Russia following geopolitical events.
The World Junior Championship is a significant annual event in international ice hockey, featuring top under-20 players from various nations. The potential impact of Russia’s absence, and now its request for the tournament’s alteration, on the event’s schedule and participating teams is yet to be determined.
RIHF’s appeal to the IIHF is expected to prompt discussions among member federations and tournament organizers regarding the implications for the championship’s integrity and planning. The IIHF has not yet released a public statement regarding the Russian federation’s request or its potential course of action. Further details on the IIHF’s response and any subsequent decisions are anticipated.
Story summarized from the original created by Associated Press on www.yourbasin.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
