International Ice Hockey Federation Aims to Reinstate Russian and Belarusian Teams

Federation president says they want to bring back the national teams "as soon as possible"

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The head of the International Ice Hockey Federation, Luke Tardif, has stated that he wants to see the return of the Russian and Belarusian national teams to international competitions "as soon as possible". The federation had previously said it would not allow the teams to participate in the 2026/27 season, but is now aiming to lift the ban sooner.

Why it matters

The exclusion of Russia and Belarus from international sports competitions has been a contentious issue, with some arguing it is unfair to punish athletes for the actions of their governments. The International Ice Hockey Federation's stance signals a potential shift in the global sports community's approach to the participation of these countries.

The details

In a press conference, Tardif explained the federation's position, saying "We want to return Belarus and Russia as soon as possible. Because it will mean that the world will become a little better." The federation had previously stated it would not allow the Russian and Belarusian teams to compete in the 2026/27 season, but is now aiming to lift the ban sooner.

  • The International Ice Hockey Federation previously stated it would not allow Russia and Belarus to compete in the 2026/27 season.
  • The federation is now aiming to reinstate the teams "as soon as possible", according to Tardif's comments.

The players

Luke Tardif

The president of the International Ice Hockey Federation.

Gianni Infantino

The president of FIFA, who has called for the lifting of the ban on the Russian national football team's participation in competitions.

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What they’re saying

“We want to return Belarus and Russia as soon as possible. Because it will mean that the world will become a little better.”

— Luke Tardif, President, International Ice Hockey Federation

“The boycott of the Russian Federation turned out to be useless.”

— Gianni Infantino, President, FIFA

What’s next

The International Ice Hockey Federation will need to determine the specific timeline and criteria for reinstating the Russian and Belarusian national teams in international competitions.

The takeaway

The International Ice Hockey Federation's stance signals a potential shift in the global sports community's approach to the participation of Russia and Belarus, as some argue that excluding athletes from international competitions is unfair and ineffective.