{
  "id": 19195261,
  "title": "Sweden says it won’t play Russia at world juniors as Norway faces losing spot",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/sweden-says-it-wont-play-russia-at-world-juniors-as-norway-faces-19195261",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T18:56:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12143063/sweden-russia-world-juniors-2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Swedish Ice Hockey Association has announced it will refuse to play Russia if the teams meet at the upcoming world juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer, citing concerns that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) could cost Norway its place in the tournament. The IIHF has not formally announced the change, but its website still lists Norway among the 10 teams in the competition. This move follows a recent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which ordered the IIHF to reinstate Russia in international hockey following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Swedish association expressed sympathy for Norway, stating that it risks losing its place in the tournament due to the IIHF's decision. The Finnish Ice Hockey Association also stated it would not play Russia as long as the war against Ukraine continues, but would not speculate further until the outcome is known. Neither federation has confirmed whether they would play a Russian team competing under a neutral designation. Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced that Russian and Belarusian athletes cannot compete for their countries while the war persists, although individual athletes can compete as neutrals. The government's November 3 statement allows this, but does not clarify if this rule could apply to a Russian team at the world juniors, which begins on December 26. Norway remains hopeful about competing in the tournament, as the situation is still unclear. Hockey Canada has referred questions about the situation to the federal government's November 3 statement, stating it has nothing to add.",
  "summary": "The Swedish Ice Hockey Association says it sympathized with Norway, which qualified for the world juniors hockey tournament in Alberta but now risks losing its place.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sweden refuses to play Russia at world juniors, citing IIHF concerns.",
    "IIHF decision could cost Norway its tournament spot.",
    "Finnish association also opposes playing Russia due to Ukraine war."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Sweden says it won’t play Russia at world juniors as Norway faces losing spot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/sweden-says-it-wont-play-russia-at-world-juniors-as-norway-faces",
        "published": "2026-11-09T15:53:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Ice hockey: Norway says it's been kicked out of World Juniors in favor of Russia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/ice-hockey-norway-says-its-been-kicked-out-of-world-juniors-in-favor",
        "published": "2026-11-09T16:02:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Kyiv Independent",
        "title": "Everyone is talking about World War III. Sweden is preparing for it",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/everyone-is-talking-about-world-war-iii-sweden-is-preparing-for-it",
        "published": "2026-11-09T18:05:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "Canada's secretary of sport casts doubt on Russia competing as neutrals at Alberta world juniors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/canadas-secretary-of-sport-casts-doubt-on-russia-competing-as",
        "published": "2026-11-09T19:10:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}