Prime Minister Mark Carney boards a government plane in Ottawa, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Canadian government says Russian players with visas will still be barred from WJC
Nov 11, 2026 | 3:50 PM
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OTTAWA — The federal government says Russian athletes who hold valid visas to play in Canada will not be permitted to participate in the 2026 world junior hockey championship in Alberta.
A statement released Wednesday says the government’s position will not change as long as Russia continues its war in Ukraine.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled last month that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) must reinstate Russia in international hockey. The countries had been banned since Russia invaded Ukraine with Belarusian assistance in 2022.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said last week Russian and Belarusian athletes could not compete in Canada despite the CAS decision.
