Germany weighs pulling out as host after European federations refuse to face Russia at 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship
Several European ice-hockey federations have said they will not play Russia at the 2027 World Championship, prompting Germany to consider withdrawing as host.
Germany is reviewing its role as host of the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship after a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling overturned a four-year ban on Russian national teams. The IIHF said it disagreed with the decision but will comply.
"Our position remains unchanged: we reject the return of Russian national teams to international ice hockey tournaments," DEB chair Frank H. Lutz said, adding that allowing Russia to compete would raise security, political and economic concerns for the host nation.
Finland, Norway, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Denmark and Sweden have announced they will not face Russia at the tournament, and Austria is considering a similar stance. The Finnish federation said it would refuse to play Russia until the war in Ukraine ends, while Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen warned that Russian athletes would not be welcome in Finland if the conflict continues.
The Czech Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar noted that the CAS ruling does not affect the country's visa ban on Russian citizens. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Russia would also be barred from the World Junior Championship in Alberta.
Two sponsors, Swedish office-furniture firm AJ Products and Finnish tyre maker Nokian Tyres, indicated they would withdraw or request logo removal if Russia participated, citing conflict with their values.
The European Commission reiterated that sports bodies must respect EU sanctions and that normalising Russian participation while the war continues is unacceptable. A spokesperson said sport should not be used for propaganda and that the use of Russian symbols at European events is not supported.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the CAS decision “stains the ice with Ukrainian blood” and argued that allowing Russian teams would grant Moscow undeserved legitimacy.