Ice hockey | When will Russia return to the World Cup? An answer was sought from the boss of the IIHF

Prague

Ice hockey The World Cup calendar follows a familiar pattern. On the closing day of the games, the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF Luc Tardif gave his traditional line speech again.

The beginning of the event followed the same pattern. First, verbal patting on the back about the arrangements and praising the games. This time there was a cover for the excitement, as the all-time audience record was broken at the World Championships held in Prague and Ostrava.

When the time came for the journalists’ questions, the event got down to the real steak.

Russia’s possible return to international hockey is a topic that is talked about behind the scenes year after year.

Tardif was asked what the relationship between the IIHF and Russia is.

“The situation at the moment is that we are in contact every February when we hold a cabinet meeting and we have informed them that Russia has been shelved. After this, Russia has not been able to play in the following season,” commented Tardif.

In February 2022 The IIHF announced that Russia and Belarus will not be able to participate in IIHF tournaments because Russia started its war of aggression against Ukraine.

After this, Tardif has stated on several occasions that he wants Russia and Belarus back to international hockey events and competitions as soon as possible.

“Every year we have wanted to guarantee that the World Cup will not be damaged by what is happening in Ukraine or Gaza,” said Tardif.

According to Tardif, it is uncertain when Russia could next participate in value tournaments. The decision on Russia’s participation in the February 2026 Olympic tournament will be made later.

“We will make a decision next February, as we always do. It doesn’t matter what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decides. This is how we have acted before, and we have not waited for the Olympic Committee’s decision, although of course we talked with them,” said Tardif.

“It will be interesting to see what happens globally at the Paris Olympics this summer. We want to stand our ground. Next February, we will make decisions about the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games.”

Wonder has also awakened the previous president of the IIHF Rene Faselin shy role.

Fasel was in power in the umbrella organization for 27 years. During Fasel’s era, the IIHF was branded as the driver of Russia and Belarus issues internationally. Fasel is known for his close ties to the Russian power elite, too to Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Putin and Rene Fasel watched the spring 2016 World Cup finals together in Moscow. Picture: Jussi Nukari

Although Fasel stepped aside from operational management, the Swiss is still the honorary president of the IIHF. When Tardif was asked if the IIHF was going to take this title away from Fasel, Tardif answered with a long, slangy formula.

“This is not just about Rene Fasel. The Russian and Belarusian ice hockey federations are still part of the IIHF, so we do not allow them to attend the meetings. They can monitor meetings remotely. It is the council’s decision,” Tardif said.

“We always try to give peace a chance. Every time we meet in February, we try to solve the problem. Taking away rights completely would require someone to make a really serious mistake, if you can say so. At the moment, we have decided to freeze the situation.”

“We discuss the issue at every meeting. The IIHF and Rene Fasel have parted ways, but he was with the federation for 27 years… That (taking away the title) would be another step. We want to keep the situation as it is now.”