Countries Threatened to Boycott the Hockey World Cup

The NHL unveiled ambitious plans for its 2028 Hockey World Cup following its general managers' meeting, but the excitement was quickly overshadowed by a brewing geopolitical controversy. According to reports, multiple countries have threatened to boycott the tournament entirely if Russia is allowed to participate — putting the league in an incredibly difficult position.

What We Know About the 2028 Hockey World Cup

Commissioner Gary Bettman shared several key details about the upcoming international competition. The tournament will feature eight national teams competing for the championship, with games hosted across three cities: Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague. Overtime rules will follow NHL playoff format, meaning teams will play five-on-five rather than adopting international hockey's overtime structure.

While many of the specifics are now confirmed, the identity of all eight participating nations has not yet been revealed. That uncertainty has fueled intense speculation — particularly around whether Russia could make a return to the international stage after being banned from competition for several years.

The Russia Dilemma Threatening the Tournament

Bettman notably refused to confirm or deny whether Russia would be among the participating countries, leaving the door open to either outcome. However, journalist Andy Strickman reported that the Russian national team has become a major point of contention behind the scenes. Several countries have reportedly warned the NHL that they would refuse to take part in the World Cup if Russia is granted entry into the tournament.

This puts the league in a no-win situation. Including Russia could trigger boycotts that would undermine the legitimacy and appeal of the event. Excluding them, on the other hand, means leaving out a historically dominant hockey nation with numerous star players currently competing in the NHL. The decision is expected to be one of the most closely watched developments in international hockey over the coming months, as the league navigates both sporting and political considerations ahead of 2028.