The NHL’s press service announced in 2028 that the World Cup of Hockey would be staged on NHL-owned venues, with games run under NHL rules and officiated by NHL referees and officials. This setup aims to deliver high-speed action and crisp decisions, bringing top-tier hockey to audiences across North America and beyond. The plan emphasizes a seamless connection between a prestigious global event and the league’s trusted standards, ensuring fans in Canada and the United States see a familiar level of play and accountability.
Eligibility questions regarding Russian participation remained pending at that time. Officials indicated that any decision on whether Russian players could take part would be determined through ongoing discussions among the league, national federations, and event organizers. The guidance reflected a careful balancing act between competitive integrity, safety considerations, and the evolving policy landscape surrounding international competition.
Speaking about logistics, organizers signaled that the tournament would travel between Europe and North America, with at least eight teams expected to compete. The cross-continental footprint was designed to maximize global reach while giving both sides of the Atlantic an opportunity to host marquee games. This plan also aimed to broaden viewership and sponsorship opportunities across major hockey markets in North America and Europe.
Officials described the World Cup as a separate venture from the International Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) event calendar. The intention was to establish a distinct tournament framework, with its own organizational structure and scheduling, distinct from the IIHF World Championships. That separation would allow for independent governance and a focused marketing strategy aimed at a global audience.
In spring 2022, the IIHF moved to remove Russian players from international tournaments, even when they would participate under neutral or blank identity rules. The federation also asserted the authority to relocate or host events in Russia, such as the World Youth Championship planned for 2023. In March 2023, the IIHF extended the scope of sanctions into the 2023/24 season, signaling a broad and continuing policy shift toward Russian participation in major events.
On February 4, officials announced an expansion of those measures. The Russian national team faced a decision not to participate in the 2025 and 2026 World Championships, and the Youth World Championship slated for 2026 would also be affected. These moves reflected a longer-term stance by the IIHF and allied bodies, shaping the landscape for how teams and players could engage with international competition in the near term.
In this backdrop, the NHL has laid groundwork intended to support any future return of Russian players to international play. The league’s position centers on preserving competitive standards, ensuring clear eligibility rules, and maintaining consistent governance across events linked to the NHL ecosystem. For fans and stakeholders in Canada and the United States, this means a potential pathway for participation that aligns with league practices and safety considerations.
As markets in North America and Europe anticipate a possible revival of Russian participation under stable regulatory conditions, the World Cup 2028 plan remains a focal point for development in international hockey. The collaboration among NHL teams, participating nations, and league officials is expected to shape the tournament’s format, revenue opportunities, and global engagement. The evolving situation underscores how international hockey is balancing traditional rivalries with new organizational models, all while aiming to deliver dramatic, high-quality competition to fans across both core audiences—Canada and the United States—and beyond.
Overall, the road to the 2028 World Cup hinges on making the event a credible, commercially viable showcase that respects the integrity of the sport and provides a clear, transparent path for participation by players from all eligible regions. The NHL’s involvement signals a commitment to delivering a tournament that reflects both the league’s standards and the sport’s global aspirations, with the potential to redefine how international hockey is organized and experienced in the North American market.