Will Russia be at the Winter Olympics 2026? IIHF decided, Slovakia knows rivals

Stockholm. At the I

As the Latvian website writes SportcentrsInternational Hockey Federation (IIHF) decided that Russian hockey players will not start at the nearest Winter Olympics.

The decision was to be made after communication with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Russia and Belarus were banned from playing at I The participation in the Winter Olympics was so decided only now at the IIHF Congress.

Instead of Russia, France will be presented in Italy, which has stood up in the final phase of the Olympic qualification as the best team from the second cities. The winners of the three qualifying groups were Slovakia, Latvia and Denmark.

The men’s hockey tournament will be played at the 2026 Winter Olympics from 11 to 22 February in Milan. The decision was also made clear by the composition of the groups at the Olympic tournament.

Slovakia will perform in Group B in the competition of Finland, Sweden and France.

Group A consists of Canada, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Italy. The US, Germany, Latvia and Denmark will be played in Group C.