Major sponsors of the Ice Hockey World Championship are increasing pressure on the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) regarding the possible return of Russia to the tournament, according to a report by the Associated Press.
Czech automaker Skoda, a longtime sponsor of the championship, is among the companies urging the IIHF to maintain Russia's exclusion, which has been in place since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The sponsors argue that readmitting Russia could damage the event's commercial appeal and reputation.
The IIHF has not yet announced a decision on Russia's participation in future tournaments. The federation previously banned Russian and Belarusian teams from all IIHF competitions indefinitely.
James Ellingworth reported for the Associated Press on November 4, 2026.
