Canada blocks Russian under-20 hockey team from World Championship over visa denial

Canada has denied visas to Russia's under-20 hockey team, preventing their participation in the upcoming World Championship despite a court ruling allowing their return. The tournament runs from December 26 to January 5. Canadian authorities informed both the IIHF and Hockey Canada of the decision, which also applies to players with valid visas, according to Sports Secretary Adam van Koeverden. Switzerland's earlier refusal to play Russia on December 27 is now moot. The Court of Arbitration for Sport had reinstated Russian teams to IIHF competitions, but several nations had already announced they would not play against Russia.