The International Ice Hockey Federation confirmed the suspension of Russia from the 2026 Olympics.

According to a statement from the press service of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the group compositions for the men's and women's hockey tournaments at the 2026 Olympics were formed without the participation of the Russian national teams. This decision was based on the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which refused to allow Russian teams to compete in these games.

Men's tournament group compositions:

• Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czech Republic, France
• Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
• Group C: USA, Germany, Latvia, Denmark

Women's tournament group compositions:

• Group A: Canada, USA, Finland, Czech Republic, Switzerland
• Group B: Japan, Sweden, Germany, Italy, France

Russian and Belarusian teams have been suspended from international tournaments since 2022 due to aggression against Ukraine. At the same time, a hockey tournament dedicated to participants in the war against Ukraine took place in Yekaterinburg, attended by legendary Russian hockey player Pavel Datsyuk.

Ksenia Korzhova, a Russian speed skater recognized as a neutral athlete, sparks controversy with her actions on social media, liking posts that support Russian aggression against Ukraine. This has repeatedly caused criticism and outrage online.

Following the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee, groups for the men's and women's hockey tournaments at the 2026 Olympics were formed without the participation of the Russian national teams, due to the refusal to allow Russian teams to compete in these competitions because of their involvement in the conflict with Ukraine.

During the formation of the group compositions for the hockey tournaments at the 2026 Olympics, the absence of Russian teams was caused by the IOC's decision to refuse their participation due to the conflict with Ukraine, which resulted from aggression against the country. Moreover, alongside the Russian context, this news also highlights the public's reaction to the athletes' actions on social media in a joint discourse about Russia's aggression.