Canada Refuses to Let Russia and Belarus Compete at 2027 World Junior Hockey Championship

Canada will not allow Russian or Belarusian national teams to compete at the 2027 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, citing the countries’ continued involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced.

According to Reuters on November 3, Carney confirmed that athletes representing either country would be excluded from the tournament, scheduled to take place in Canada from December 26, 2026, through January 5, 2027.

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World

Russia Gets Another Green Light in International Sports as Hockey Teams Are Cleared to Return

Oct 30, 2026 14:42

The Canadian government has maintained its opposition to the participation of Russian and Belarusian national teams in international hockey competitions, despite a recent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) allowing Russia to return to international competition.

Carney said the restrictions would remain in place as long as Russia continues its war against Ukraine with Belarusian support.

In a subsequent joint statement, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Immigration Minister Lena Diab, and Sports Minister Adam van Koeverden reaffirmed the government’s position, emphasizing that Canada’s policy remains unchanged because Russia’s actions have not changed.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed the decision, thanking Canadian authorities for preventing Russian participation in the tournament.

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World

Russia Was Supposed to Be Isolated. Why Is It Everywhere Again?

Sep 07, 2026 16:59

In a statement published by Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, Sybiha accused Moscow of attempting to use international sporting events to restore its reputation while continuing its military campaign against Ukraine.

He also highlighted Canada’s use of visa restrictions as a practical measure to prevent Russian athletes from competing under their national flag.

The decision follows growing opposition to Russia’s return to international hockey. According to Reuters on November 3, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden announced they would boycott matches against Russia at the 2027 Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany, following a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling allowing Russian teams to return to international competition.

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