Latvian hockey players will be forced to play against Ovechkin and Kaprizov – Russia allowed to participate in major tournaments

The CAS annulled all five resolutions of the IIHF council and mandated the inclusion of Russian teams in IIHF competitions affected by these resolutions. According to the court's ruling, the international federation is obliged to ensure the participation of Russian teams in the relevant IIHF tournaments in the 2026/27 season. "The CAS decision puts an end to this issue, as it is final and not subject to appeal. Ahead lies a challenging task in collaboration with the International Ice Hockey Federation to implement the CAS decision and return Russian teams to competitions under the IIHF auspices," wrote Degtyarev. The next competition, the World Junior Championship, will take place in Canada in the cities of Edmonton and Red Deer in December 2026 – January 2027. In 2022, the IIHF suspended the Russian national team from its tournaments. ## IIHF Reaction: Disappointed but Resigned The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) expressed disappointment over the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which mandated the organization to allow Russian teams to participate in all championships under its auspices. This was reported on the organization's [website](https://www.iihf.com/en/news/76707/iihf_statement_on_cas_decision). At the same time, the federation stated that it would comply with the court's decision but would first assess the practical and organizational implications. In its statement, the federation emphasized that it respects the authority of the arbitration court and will act in accordance with its verdict. The IIHF reported that changes in the composition of participants require extensive coordination with national federations, organizers, and host countries. This involves reviewing formats, schedules, logistics, team accommodations, and security measures.