While some of its European neighbours are threatening to withdraw from the May 2027 competition entirely, Sweden still attends to compete in Germany, but will not take to the ice against Russia.
“In the current situation, we do not intend to play against Russia,” Swedish Ice Hockey Association chairman Anders Larsson told reporters, before reaffirming Sweden's reluctance to boycott events.
"We have a common line in Swedish sport not to boycott. We do not intend to play against Russia, but we do not intend to boycott the entire World Cup," he stated.
The refusals and boycott threats from across Europe came after the decision on Friday 30th October from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), ruling that Russia must be allowed to participate in the world championship from 2027 onwards, having been banned since the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine before the 2022 edition of the tournament.
Larsson also sits on the IIHF board of directors: "It is unthinkable that Russia will participate. That has been our position in Swedish hockey, and it was also a key part of my joining the international board. We were very disappointed with CAS's decision," he clarified.
Before the announcement from the Swedish association, the Swedish Hockey League had urged its players not to comment on the CAS ruling, while Swedish company AJ had earlier pulled its sponsorship of the tournament, ending a 37-year association with the men's world championship.