The first national team officially refused to play against Russian hockey players. And it’s not Latvia

“Based on the current situation and the information available today, Norway will not play against Russia at the World Championship, which will take place in Germany in May 2027. The other matches in the group will proceed as usual. This was reported to the IIHF federation council,” the NIHF statement said. The organization stated that it firmly adheres to the position that Russia should be suspended from participating in all international championships while the military conflict in Ukraine continues. “At the same time, this decision is dictated by our responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of our players, team staff, and their families. In our assessment, participating in matches against Russia under the current conditions could pose serious safety risks for our players and team members. Therefore, our top priority is their mental health, well-being, and personal safety,” the NIHF added. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) previously ordered the international federation (IIHF) to allow Russian teams, which have been suspended since 2022 due to the military operation in Ukraine. Following the CAS decision, the IIHF stated that it was disappointed but recognizes the authority of the court. However, it remains unclear how the admission of Russians to the tournaments will be implemented.