Russian athletes with valid Canadian visas will not be allowed to play in the 2026 world junior hockey championship in Alberta, the federal government says, maintaining its position despite a sports arbitration ruling ordering Russia’s return to international hockey.

In a statement released Wednesday, the government said its position would not change while Russia continues its war in Ukraine, according to Canadian Press reporting published by Sportsnet. The championship is scheduled to begin Dec. 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer.

The statement addresses the position of Russian players who already hold visas allowing them to play in Canada. There are Russian players with valid visas competing in the Canadian Hockey League, the umbrella organization for the country’s three leading major junior hockey leagues.

Their existing ability to play in Canada will not permit them to participate in the world junior tournament, under the position outlined by the federal government.

Last month, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the International Ice Hockey Federation must reinstate Russia in international hockey. Russia had been banned since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which was carried out with Belarusian assistance.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said last week that Russian and Belarusian athletes could not compete in Canada despite the arbitration decision.

Opposition to Russia’s participation also extends to other hockey nations. Federations including Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Norway have said their teams will refuse to compete against Russian players.

The dispute comes after the CHL reopened its import draft to Russians and Belarusians following a ban from 2022 through 2024. According to the league, Russia led this year’s draft with 32 of the 114 players selected.

Sources