Russia’s ice hockey team will not start at the 2026 Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. This was confirmed by World Association President Luc Tardif on the final day of the ice hockey World Cup in Stockholm.
“The organization committee commissioned us to create a game plan without Russia“, the 72-year-old said on Sunday (May 25, 2025) after a Congress of the IIHF in the Swedish capital.
Tardif said that the World Association initially prepared a schedule and one without Russia. “The international Olympic Committee is the organizer, we are responsible for the sporting organization“, said the Franco Canadian:”We therefore requested a decision from the IOC.“Tardif said that the IOC would soon communicate the decision.
Effects for German team
The Russian exclusion also has an impact on the German national team. Accordingly, the 2018 silver winner will play with the USA, Latvia and Denmark in Group C. If Russia would participate, Denmark, Finland and the Czech Republic would have been the opponents. At the 2026 Olympics, all stars from the North American professional league NHL will be launched for the first time since 2014.
Russia had been excluded by all ice hockey world championships after the war of aggression on Ukraine since 2022. Russia will also be closed to the tournament in Switzerland next year. A decision on a possible Russian return for the German home World Cup 2027 will be made in February 2027.