Will Russia play at World Juniors in Alberta this year?

Russia is set to make its return to international hockey, and it might come as soon as the World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer this December. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) must allow Russia to participate in its upcoming international championships, overturning the organization’s decision to keep the country banned for the 2026-27 season.

The ruling could have an immediate impact on the World Juniors, which are scheduled to begin Dec. 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer . Russia has been excluded from IIHF competitions since 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine.

Edmonton is set to host 17 games at Rogers Place, including all four of Canada’s preliminary-round matchups, both semifinals, and the gold and bronze medal games. The remaining 12 preliminary-round games and two quarterfinals will take place at Red Deer’s Marchant Crane Centrium. However, Russia’s potential return leaves plenty of questions with less than two months remaining before the tournament begins.

The upcoming World Juniors are currently scheduled to feature 10 countries split into two groups, with the full schedule already announced. Adding Russia to the field could require changes to the tournament format and scheduling, among other logistical considerations. “The implications of today’s decision by CAS are not immediately clear, and our organization is in contact with the IIHF to learn more,” a Hockey Canada spokesperson told Offside on Friday.

Should Russia be able to compete in the event, it could result in Norway, the lowest-ranked team, being removed from the tournament. The IIHF expressed disappointment with Friday’s ruling but said it would comply with the decision. The organization also acknowledged that changes to participation would require extensive coordination with national hockey associations, organizing committees and host authorities, including reviews of travel, accommodations, and security arrangements.

“The IIHF disagrees with this aspect of the ruling and maintains that its decisions were necessary to protect the safety and security of all participants and safeguard the integrity of its competitions,” the organization said in a statement. “While the IIHF respects the authority of CAS and will act in accordance with its ruling, the outcome does not remove the concerns that informed its assessments.” For now, it remains unclear exactly what Russia’s return will look like or how it would affect the tournament in Alberta.

However, with Edmonton preparing to host some of the biggest games of the competition, the situation is one local hockey fans will want to keep an eye on.