Already this year
World Cup sensation? President wants to bring Russia back
January 7, 2025 – 6:20 p.mReading time: 1 min.
The 2021 Ice Hockey World Cup should be the last for Russia for the time being. But now an official is planning to get the country running again soon.
Is Russia returning to the sports stage? As the Swiss “Blick” writes, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is currently dealing with the political development of the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine. IIHF President Luc Tardif wants the Russian national teams to take part in international competitions again. However, the prerequisite for this is an early end to the war.
According to the report, there is even room for participation in the 2026 U20 World Cup in the USA, which begins in December. However, the nations must be determined by February, so Russia’s participation is unlikely. But things could look different at the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy and the Ice Hockey World Cup in Switzerland. According to the report, IIHF President Tardif is still waiting for answers from the Olympic Committee (IOC).
However, the 71-year-old could face headwinds from several nations. After the war began in February 2022, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland played a key role in ensuring that the Russian and Belarusian associations were suspended from the IIHF.
The Scandinavian nations had also made it clear then that an end to the war alone was not enough for Russia’s return. The nations instead called for a change of power in Moscow. One thing is clear: Russia’s exclusion from the 2025 Ice Hockey World Cup in Sweden and Denmark remains.