Norway in line for 2027 World Juniors return after Russia barred from Canada event

The Canadian government has told Hockey Canada and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) that it will not grant visas to Russian players seeking to compete at the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship. The decision blocks Russia from the tournament, which is scheduled to begin on 26 December in Edmonton and Red Deer, and could open the door for Norway to be readmitted.

Key facts

• Canada will not issue visas to Russian players for the 2027 World Juniors.
• Russian players who already hold visas — including those playing in the Canadian Hockey League — are considered ineligible, even under a neutral flag.
• The tournament runs from 26 December in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.
• Norway, the lowest-ranked team, was told it would be removed to make way for Russia.
• The ban on Russian hockey teams dates back to 2022.

What is changing?

Canada is refusing entry to Russian players for the event. Beyond denying new visas, the government considers Russian players who might already hold visas ineligible to take part, including those who play in the Canadian Hockey League. That ineligibility applies even if a player would compete under a neutral flag.

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney had already stated that Russia "will not" be at the World Juniors.

Why is this happening?

The dispute follows a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport that the Russian Ice Hockey Federation must be allowed to compete in IIHF events, on the grounds that the IIHF did not provide enough evidence to keep its ban on Russian teams in place.

The IIHF and numerous international hockey federations have objected to that decision. Several nations have said they will not play against Russia in any international events, and some major sponsors have threatened to pull their funding from IIHF men's world championship tournaments if Russia competes. The ban on Russian hockey teams dates back to 2022, when the country invaded Ukraine shortly after the Beijing Olympics.

What does this mean for Norway?

Norway, the last-ranked team heading into the World Juniors, has been informed that it will be removed from the tournament to make way for Russia. However, many expect Russia to be forced to withdraw, which would lead to Norway's readmission to the event.

What this means for travellers

Travellers holding tickets for the World Juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer should watch for confirmation of the final team list, since the source notes that Russia's participation is widely expected to fall through and Norway to be readmitted. The visa decision applies to the Russian players named for the tournament; the source does not describe any broader change to Canada's visa rules for other visitors.

No further announcements on the final line-up or on Norway's status have been made in the source. The tournament is due to start on 26 December.