The Finnish Ice Hockey Association is actively building a united international front to block Russia’s return to global tournaments following a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Speaking on Monday evening, November 2, 2026, association president Heikki Hietanen announced that Finland intends to prevent Russian participation by any means possible, including a coordinated boycott threat against the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
Building a Common Front Against the CAS Ruling
The pushback began in earnest after the CAS overturned the IIHF’s previous exclusion of Russian and Belarusian teams, clearing the path for their reentry into international competition. This reinstatement directly impacts the upcoming men’s world championship scheduled to take place in Germany from May 13 to 30, 2027. Hietanen stated that Finland is currently working to gather as many countries as possible behind a joint declaration.
We are currently trying to rally as many countries as possible behind a common front to inform the IIHF that none of us will play against Russia in the current situation,
Hietanen said in a statement released on Monday evening, November 2, 2026. He added that the Finnish national teams will refuse to take the ice against Russia as long as the war in Ukraine continues.
Municipal Resistance in Turku and International Friction
Finland’s political and sports leadership moved quickly on multiple fronts on November 2, 2026. Earlier in the day, the city of Turku announced it would refuse to host its share of the 2027 U20 Junior World Championship if the Russian team is permitted to participate.
As long as Russia wages a war of aggression in Ukraine, we cannot accept that the Russian national team plays in Turku,
stated Piia Elo. The municipality clarified that it would happily host the tournament if it proceeds without Russian involvement, shifting pressure directly onto the IIHF and the Finnish government to resolve the deadlock.
The controversy creates immediate logistical headaches for upcoming tournaments governed by the IIHF. The very first competition where Russian athletes regain eligibility is the U20 World Championship in Canada, scheduled from December 26 to January 5 around the turn of the year. Canadian authorities have already indicated intentions to deny entry to the Russian delegation. Furthermore, the subsequent U20 tournament for the 2027/2028 season is officially assigned to the Finnish cities of Turku and Tampere.
| Tournament | Dates / Season | Scheduled Host | Status Amid CAS Ruling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s World Championship | May 13 – May 30, 2027 | Germany | DEB weighs returning hosting rights amid rising security and operational costs. |
| U20 World Junior Championship | 2027 / 2028 Season | Turku and Tampere, Finland | Turku threatens withdrawal if Russian participation stands. |
Meanwhile, the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) is reportedly weighing whether to return its hosting rights for the 2027 men’s showcase. The German body points to escalating logistical hurdles and substantial secondary costs associated with managing the reinstated teams under the current political climate.
