Explosiveness at the Ice Hockey World Cup: newly promoted Ukraine or returnees Belarus

A few days ago this had International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided that athletes and sports teams from Belarus can again take part in international sports competitions under their flag. The suspension of Russia remains in effect. The two nations were excluded from the Ice Hockey World Cup in 2022 after the start of the brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. In 2023, the Russians were also deprived of the World Cup event in St. Petersburg. Belarus supports Russia in its attacks on Ukraine.

The International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF established the procedure that the suspended teams return to where they last played. This was also confirmed by the IIHF Vice President Peter Briza on the sidelines of the 2025 World Cup in an interview with the KURIER. “We would be happy if both of them played again because that would mean that the war is over,” said the former Czech world-class goalkeeper.

Is Ukraine not allowed to go to the 2027 World Cup because of Belarus?

And now it comes: Would Belarus be at the next year? World Cup in Germany be there again, then the second promoted team from the B-WM 2026 would not be allowed to play. The second climber behind Kazakhstan is of all things Ukrainewhich would be first class for the first time since 2007. So: Either Belarus or Ukraine will play at the World Cup in 2027 for the 16 best nations.

Now the IIHF has even more of a problem. 1.4 million Ukrainians who have fled the war zone live in Germany. How would you react if Belarus suddenly played at the Ice Hockey World Cup instead of Ukraine?

It would be legally covered that the second promoted team does not qualify for the A-World Cup next year. Because the participants in the World Cup in Division IA, as the B World Cup is officially called, have to sign before the start of the tournament only the winner advances and the second promoted team only confirmed by the IIHF Council after the World Cup will, or not.

The most likely variant from today’s perspective is the return of Belarus for security reasons on the WM 2028 in Paris and Lyon to postpone and not deprive Ukraine of its sporting advancement after 20 years of obscurity.