Opposition to the return of Russian hockey players is growing. A threat of a boycott of the World Championships looms on the horizon.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the country's hockey teams have been banned from international competitions, a situation that continues into the 2026/2027 season. Despite recent rulings from the Court of Arbitration for Sport allowing Russian teams to participate in upcoming tournaments, Canada has stated it will not allow them to compete in the junior world championships. Other countries, including Finland and Norway, have also expressed their refusal to play against Russia. The Polish Ice Hockey Association has declared solidarity with Ukraine and opposes the normalization of Russian participation in international hockey. Concerns arise that reinstating Russia could displace Ukraine, which recently qualified for the elite championships, leading to a domino effect in tournament placements. Some sponsors have already withdrawn their support for events involving Russian teams.