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Russia’s Return to International Hockey Triggers Boycott From Three European Teams
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Norway, Denmark, and Sweden will refuse to play Russia at the 2027 Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany, citing safety concerns and geopolitical tensions, Reuters reported on November 3.
The decision follows a a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling last week that allowed Russia to return to International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) competitions, overturning the IIHF’s exclusion of Russian teams imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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“Norway will – based on the current situation and the information available to us today – not play against Russia at the World Championship in Germany in May 2027,” the Norwegian Ice Hockey Federation stated.
Russia has increasingly used international sport as a soft-power and propaganda platform, presenting athletes as symbols of national prestige while many maintain direct ties to the state, military, or pro-war campaigns. UNITED24 Media previously documented how prominent Russian athletes have promoted Kremlin narratives, supported the invasion, held military ranks, or participated in state-backed political movements, allowing Moscow to use their international visibility to project normalcy and influence despite the ongoing full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Norwegian Ice Hockey Federation added that its position remained unchanged and that Russia should be excluded from international championships while the war in Ukraine continues. Norway, Denmark, and Sweden confirmed they would still play their other scheduled matches, according to Reuters.
“For the sake of the integrity of ice hockey, we cannot see ourselves playing against Russia as things stand. It will end in utter chaos if we do so,” Danish Ice Hockey Union chairman Henrik Bach Nielsen told Danish media.
Swedish Ice Hockey Association chairman Anders Larsson also confirmed that Sweden would refuse to face Russia, describing Russian participation in international hockey as unthinkable while the war continues.
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Commercial pressure is also growing around Russia’s potential participation in the 2027 championship. Swedish furniture company AJ Products announced it would end its sponsorship of the 2027 championship, while Nokian Tyres stated it would withdraw if Russia is permitted to compete, Reuters reported.
Finland has also pushed back against Russia’s potential return to international hockey. On November 2, the city of Turku stated it could withdraw from hosting the 2028 World Junior Championship if the Russian national team is allowed to participate.
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