Explainer-Ice hockey-From Canada to Germany, what stands in the way of Russia's ice hockey return?

Nov 10 : Norway have announced their exclusion from the 2027 World Junior Championship, making way for Russia, despite Canada, the host nation, stating it will bar the Russian team from entering the tournament.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ordered ice hockey's governing body on October 30 to admit Russian teams to five championships. Host governments still decide who can enter, and eight of the 16 teams in the men's World Championship say they would refuse to play Russia.

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), now led by Germany's Franz Reindl, said it disagrees with the ruling but will comply. CAS found insufficient evidence that security risks justified extending the ban imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

The Norwegian Ice Hockey Association said it had been subsequently informed by the IIHF that Norway would be replaced by Russia at the upcoming junior championship as the lowest-ranked team.

The International Olympic Committee on July 7 provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and withdrew its recommended restrictions on Russian athletes and teams. It had already urged federations to readmit Russian and Belarusian juniors to individual and team events.

Here are the details.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

As of November 10, the IIHF had yet to announce Norway's relegation publicly. Swiss Ice Hockey said it had received a revised schedule naming Russia.

In a statement, the federation said it was consulting with national associations, host authorities, and organisers on how to proceed following the court decision.

Sweden has urged the European Commission to tighten visa rules for athletes representing Russia or Belarus. Finland is preparing restrictions on short-term work visas for