NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says it is still too early to know whether Russia will be invited to participate in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. Speaking about the long-term international plans for the league and its players, Bettman said that “time will tell” if a Russian team, featuring NHL players eligible to represent the country, will be part of the tournament field.
Bettman’s brief comment underscores the uncertainty surrounding Russia’s place in major international hockey events in the coming years. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian teams have faced restrictions or exclusion from several international competitions across multiple sports, and many governing bodies continue to review their policies on Russian participation. Bettman did not offer any specific criteria or timeline for when a decision regarding Russia’s status for the 2028 event would be made.
The World Cup of Hockey, organized by the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association in conjunction with international partners, has historically been a showcase for top talent from around the league, with national and composite teams competing in a best-on-best format. Russia has traditionally been one of the major hockey powers in these events, drawing from a deep pool of NHL and professional players. For now, however, its involvement in the next planned edition of the tournament remains unresolved.
Bettman’s comments suggest that the NHL is keeping its options open as it monitors the broader international landscape and continues discussions with stakeholders. Any eventual decision on Russia’s participation would likely involve input not only from the league and the NHLPA but also from international federations and national hockey organizations. Until those conversations advance and conditions surrounding international competition become clearer, the league is not making a firm commitment one way or the other regarding Russia’s place in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.
No further details about the format of the 2028 tournament, the full slate of participating nations, or the decision-making process for team inclusion were provided alongside Bettman’s remark. For now, the commissioner’s stance indicates that the league will revisit the question of Russian participation as the event draws closer and circumstances evolve.
