Canada Bars Russia and Belarus From World Juniors in Alberta, Carney Says

Canada will not let athletes from Russia or Belarus take part in the world junior ice hockey championships in Alberta next month, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Speaking at a televised press conference in Antigua, Carney answered a question about denying visas to Russian players.

"While Russia and Belarus are supporting this illegal, unjustified, horrific war in Ukraine, as long as that's going on, there will be none of those athletes competing for their countries in Canada," Carney said, according to Reuters. "So, if you're asking specifically about the world juniors, the Russians will not be there."

Government will use immigration powers

In a statement on Tuesday, the federal government said it would use its immigration powers to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from entering Canada to compete under their national symbols. Entry would be assessed individually, and athletes competing as neutrals could still take part in international sporting events hosted by Canada.

"This measure is not directed at the Russian and Belarusian people," the statement said. "Rather, it is intended to prevent the governments of Russia and Belarus from using international sporting events hosted in Canada as platforms for state representation, political legitimacy and propaganda."

"We respect the decisions of the Finns, the Czechs, the Swedes, other nations, but this is a decision we take on our own," Carney said. Canada had already condemned the court decision last week and is a major backer of Ukraine.

Court ruling set up the clash

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled on Friday, October 30, that Russia must be reinstated to international hockey, starting with the world junior tournament. Russian teams have been banned since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev said in an October 30 statement that the ruling was final and that Russia would work with the International Ice Hockey Federation, the IIHF, to secure its return. The IIHF council tabled its deliberations for at least two more days. Spokesperson Kristoffer Holm told Sportsnet on Tuesday that the federation had no additional comment but expected developments later in the week.

The tournament begins December 26, 2026 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, and runs into early January. Ten teams are set to compete: Canada, Sweden, Czechia, Switzerland, the United States, Germany, Latvia, Slovakia, Norway and Finland. Sweden is the defending champion.

Federations refuse and Hockey Canada backs Ottawa

Six European hockey federations, including Sweden, Finland and Czechia, said they would not face Russian teams. Latvia was also named among those refusing, and Norway has also refused at the 2027 men's world championship.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha thanked the federations that had refused to play Russia and urged other hockey powers, including Canada, to follow suit. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress had also urged Ottawa to deny visas to Russian players. "If CAS lacks a moral compass, let's show that hockey still has values. Refuse to play against Russia and deny visas to its players," Sybiha wrote.

Hockey Canada supported the government position, thanked Ottawa for its strong position on participation under national symbols in Canada, and said it will meet its board this week to discuss next steps.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said on Friday the province would comply with the court ruling. Sports Minister Andrew Boitchenko said the province's focus remains on working with partners to deliver a successful 2027 world juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer.