Belarus reinstated for three IIHF tournaments in 2026-27

At the organization’s annual congress in Zurich, Switzerland this week, the IIHF has announced that Belarus will be reinstated into three competitions for the 2026-27 season.

Belarus will be allowed back into the top division of the next U-18 Men’s World Championship event, set for Duluth, Minnesota in 2027. Notably, it is expected that Belarus will replace the recently promoted Switzerland team in Group B, according to sources.

Belarus last took part in the U-18s during the COVID-bubble 2021 tournament. The team lost in the quarterfinal, but four players from that team – forwards Yegor Sidorov, Andrei Loshko and Danila Klimovich and defenseman Dmitri Kuzmin – were drafted to the NHL.

The nation will also field a women’s tournament for the first time, joining the newly formed Division 4 and U-18 Division 3B events.

Belarus has never won a medal at a major international event.

“Following the IIHF Disciplinary Board’s decision mandating the IIHF Council to reanalyze the safety and security risks associated with Belarus playing in the 2026/2027 Championship season, and based on detailed discussion and risks analyses with the respective Organizing Committees, the IIHF has determined that it is appropriate to move forward with the reintegration of Belarus into the 2026/2027 IIHF World Men’s U18 Championship, World Women’s Championship Division IV and World Women’s U18 Championship Division IIIB,” a IIHF statement says.

“This decision was not taken lightly. The safety and well-being of players, officials, fans, volunteers, and all participants remains our highest priority. Based on the assessments conducted and ongoing consultations with relevant stakeholders, we believe this can be done in a safe, responsible, and controlled manner.”

Belarus, along with Russia, was banned from IIHF competition following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s ban has not been lifted at this time.

Belarus has not been permitted back into the 2027 IIHF Men’s World Championship. Ukraine and Kazakhstan are the two teams moving up to the top event, with Great Britain and Italy going back down to Division IA.