Russia demands IIHF move World Juniors as Finland and Norway bar Russian athletes

Russian Ice Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretiak has demanded the International Ice Hockey Federation either relocate the World Junior Championship from Canada, cancel it outright, or impose sanctions on national federations organising boycotts of games involving Russia.

Canada confirmed this week that Russian players will not be allowed to compete in the ten-nation tournament, due to begin on 26 December in Alberta. Ottawa ruled that even NHL-based Russian players could not represent the national team, as their work visas do not permit it. Tretiak threatened to seek compensation from Canada and potentially from Germany, which is due to host the men's World Championship in 2027.

"The IIHF has a way out," Tretiak said, explaining that either they let Russia play, or, if unable to enter Canada, they move the championship, do not stage it at all, or impose sanctions on the Canadian ice hockey association.

The Russian federation had anticipated the visa refusals and had planned a squad drawn solely from North American NHL clubs, but Ottawa ruled that option out as well.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau left no room for ambiguity: "You cannot bomb Ukrainian cities and then send your juniors to Alberta," adding that it is unacceptable to play hockey as if they were civilised people, and that there are no Russian or Belarusian teams at the World Junior Championship, not under their flags or any other flags.

Meanwhile, Finland's government on 12 November adopted a decree stating that the entry of Russian citizens poses a threat to its international relations. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said: "As long as Russia's aggressive war continues, Russian athletes have no business in Finland." The restrictions cover short-term work carried out on a visa, including professional sport, and apply to athletes competing under neutral status.

Norway announced parallel steps, saying it intends to expel Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and their entourages from sporting events held on Norwegian soil while the war in Ukraine continues.

Germany is also considering withdrawing from hosting the 2027 men's World Championship. The federations of Canada, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Czechia and Latvia have all announced they will not play matches against Russia. Norway was separately informed by the IIHF that it was being excluded from the World Junior Championship to make room for Russia — a change the federation had not publicly confirmed as of the time of reporting.