Explosive. The next Olympic ice hockey tournament, in Milan-Cortina in 2026, could see Russia and the United States in the same group. The sport’s international governing body (IIHF) has published the provisional programme for the men’s competition on its website, with nine of the twelve teams already known. The United States and Russia are placed in Pool C, with two nations still to qualify. Group A features Canada, Sweden, Switzerland and hosts Italy. Group B pits Finland, Germany, the Czech Republic and a final team yet to be decided. Question: will Russia be allowed to take part in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games? In an interview with TASS, Luc Tardif, President of the IIHF, explained that the decision would be taken in March 2024 at the latest. The body suspended Russia and Belarus in 2022, a sanction that was confirmed and extended until further notice last spring.
