Russia unlikely to compete in 2028 World Cup of Hockey if war continues

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Russia is unlikely to be eligible to compete in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey if the country's war with Ukraine continues, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.

The hockey federations of Sweden, Finland, and Czechia reportedly recently informed the NHL they wouldn't participate in the tournament if Russia was involved. While Daly didn't confirm those reports, he said the league is aware of other countries' sentiments on the issue.

"We know how they feel, and they have strong feelings about it, and quite frankly, it's the same strong feelings we've expressed and the international hockey community has expressed," Daly said Wednesday. "So, I don't think there’s anything new there. ...

"I don't think we're out of sync with where the Finns and Swedes and Czechs are with respect to Russian participation. It'll be available if certain things happen. And if certain things don't happen, they're likely not to participate."

A reporter followed up with "Certain things, meaning the war ending?" and Daly nodded.

The next World Cup will take place in three cities in February 2028: Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, and Czechia capital Prague. The event will include eight teams. Decisions on which nations participate will probably be made ahead of the 2027-28 NHL season, Daly noted.

Russia has been ineligible to compete in international hockey events since invading Ukraine in February 2022.