Canada bars Russian hockey players from 2027 World Juniors despite visas

Canada will deny entry to Russian hockey players for the 2027 World Junior Championship, even if they hold valid visas, Sports Minister Adam van Koeverden announced Wednesday, November 11. The Canadian government has formally notified the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and Hockey Canada that it will not issue visas to Russians. Van Koeverden stated the immigration minister will individually assess and prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from entering Canada for competitions, regardless of existing visas. Van Koeverden said the measures target Russian and Belarusian governments, not their people, and that only neutral-status athletes may compete in Canada. The decision follows an October 30 Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling mandating Russia's return to tournaments from 2027, which the IIHF opposed. The tournament runs December 26 to January 5 in Edmonton and Red Deer.