Russian national hockey teams must be allowed to compete in International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) events during the 2026-27 season, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled Friday, overturning the governing body's decision to exclude Russia from upcoming tournaments.

The decision reverses bans covering several major competitions, including the men's and women's world championships. CAS said the IIHF had not presented sufficient evidence to justify its security concerns, although the ruling did not resolve every issue surrounding Russia's potential return.

In particular, the court did not determine whether Russian teams would be required to compete without their national flag, anthem or other symbols, as neutral athletes have done in some other international sports. It also left other organizational questions to be addressed.

The IIHF expressed disappointment with the decision, maintaining that its original restrictions were necessary to protect participants and preserve the integrity of its competitions.

"While the IIHF respects the authority of CAS and will act in accordance with its ruling, the outcome does not remove the concerns that informed its assessments," the organization said.

Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov welcomed the ruling, writing on Telegram that CAS had recognized the Russian Hockey Federation's demands on key points as justified.

The IIHF has excluded Russian teams from its world championships since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Russia also missed the Olympic hockey tournaments earlier this year as part of the broader international restrictions imposed on Russian athletes following the war.

The ruling now creates uncertainty for next year's men's world championship in Germany, especially since Ukraine has also qualified. The competition could bring the two countries' national teams together for the first time since the ban was imposed.

The decision also presents an immediate challenge for newly elected IIHF President Franz Reindl, whose home country is scheduled to host the men's championship next year.

The first possible opportunity for Russia's return is the men's world junior championship, scheduled to begin December 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Canada. Other competitions covered by the ruling include next year's women's world championship in Canada and the 2027 under-18 world championships in Minnesota and the Czech Republic.

Russia's return would restore one of the sport's most successful national programs to international competition. Russia and the former Soviet Union have combined for 27 men's world championship titles, second only to Canada's 28. Russia last won the tournament in 2014.

The CAS decision overturns the IIHF's exclusions, but questions surrounding security arrangements, national symbols and tournament logistics remain to be resolved before Russian teams can take the ice.