World juniors: Russia replace Norway in Latvia’s group

The first real test since the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling on Russia’s ice hockey teams directly affects Latvia. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has sent national federations a revised schedule for the 2027 World Junior Championship in which Russia replace Norway. The tournament will be held in Edmonton and Red Deer, Canada, from 26 December to 5 January.

What the new schedule says

The Swiss ice hockey federation was the first to make the new schedule public: under it, Russia take tenth place in the ranking, previously held by Norway, and the Norwegians are moved down to Division I. That puts Russia in Group B, whose games will be played at Edmonton’s Rogers Place arena — alongside Canada, Czechia, Switzerland and Latvia.

If Russia take over Norway’s fixtures unchanged, Latvia’s juniors would play them on 30 December. Latvia’s other group games under the original schedule are against Czechia on 27 December, Canada on 28 December and Switzerland on 31 December.

Switzerland: we will go, but we will not play Russia

The board of the Swiss federation decided that its under-20 team will not play the game against Russia scheduled for 27 December. The board weighed sporting, political and social considerations, and the decision applies only to that one game — Switzerland will take part in the tournament. Only a few days earlier, Switzerland had been the only major Western hockey nation to take a wait-and-see stance.

What it means for Latvia

The Latvian Ice Hockey Federation said on 3 November that, as long as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, Latvian national teams will not play Russian or Belarusian teams. This is not only the federation’s choice: Latvia’s Sports Law bars Latvian national teams in team sports from playing Russian and Belarusian national teams, but does not bar them from taking part in the tournament itself. Latvia’s juniors are therefore likely to do as the Swiss have done and sit out one game.

The IIHF has not yet said how such unplayed games would count in the standings. It is also possible that Russia will not come to Canada at all: Prime Minister Mark Carney said on 3 November that Canada would not issue visas to Russian athletes, coaches or delegation members. The IIHF confirmed on 7 November that it is taking the steps required by the CAS ruling and discussing possible solutions with the federations involved.