The National Hockey League is planning to stage the World Cup in 2024, according to the tournament’s official site. The return of this marquee event is eyed for February and is expected to feature eight teams. The organizers are also considering the involvement of the Russian squad, which has been barred from all international events for the moment.
Fans will recall that the last Ice Hockey World Cup took place in Toronto in 2016. That edition ran for about two weeks, bringing together the top national teams from around the globe, with Canada emerging as the champion that year.
Earlier this year the IIHF Council extended the suspension of Russia and Belarus from all international competitions. As a result, those teams did not participate in the 2022 World Cup held in Finland, a decision that shaped the tournament landscape for fans and teams alike in North America and beyond.
Following the suspension, the IIHF’s independent disciplinary panel rejected an appeal from the Russian Hockey Federation to allow Russian national teams to compete in international play during the interim period. The decision keeps the matter in focus as the 2024 World Cup approaches, with organizers weighing the implications for scheduling, team eligibility, and competitive balance.
Luc Tardif, who recently led the IIHF, has reiterated a commitment to keeping Russia and Belarus as potential participants in the top division of the Ice Hockey World Championship when reshaping the international calendar and the event structure. The conversation reflects ongoing tensions between governance, sport diplomacy, and the interests of fans and athletes in North America and around the world.