Six European hockey nations refuse to face Russia at 2027 championship as Germany weighs pulling out as host

Summary

Finland, Norway, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Denmark and Sweden have said they will not face Russia at the 2027 ice hockey championship, after a court ruling overturned a four-year ban on Russian national teams. Germany's federation said the ruling "fundamentally changes the situation" for it as host nation, and Euronews reports that Germany is weighing whether to pull out as host. Ice hockey's governing body says the court decision forcing it to reinstate Russia presents "significant practical and sporting challenges," and Deutsche Welle reports that several leading nations say they won't play against Russian teams.

Timeline

1. Euronews

   4 Nov 2026, 10:57 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports that Finland, Norway, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Denmark and Sweden have said they will not face Russia at the 2027 championship after a court overturned a four-year ban on Russian national teams, and that Germany's federation called the ruling a change that "fundamentally changes the situation" for it as host nation.

2. Deutsche Welle

   4 Nov 2026, 13:27 UTCSource ↗

   Deutsche Welle reports that the sport's governing body says a court decision forcing it to reinstate Russia presents "significant practical and sporting challenges," and that several leading ice hockey nations say they won't play against Russian teams.