Russian hockey teams must be allowed to return to World Championship competition in 2027, a sports court ruled Friday.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to allow Russian teams back into major competition for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

A CAS panel set aside an IIHF Council decision from earlier this year to extend Russia’s ban from international hockey that had been in place for more than four years.

The panel “found that the IIHF arguments citing safety, security and other concerns were not supported by sufficient evidence.”

“Only substantiated security concerns could outweigh athlete of a particular nationality to participate in competitions” in light of the applicable IIHF regulations, according to CAS.

CAS did not rule on whether they must be neutral teams or if national symbols are allowed.

In a statement, the IIHF expressed “disappointment” in the CAS ruling.

“The IIHF disagrees with this aspect of the ruling and maintains that its decisions were necessary to protect the safety and security of all participants and safeguard the integrity of its competitions,” the statement read.

“While the IIHF respects the authority of CAS and will act in accordance with its ruling, the outcome does not remove the concerns that informed its assessments.”

“The ruling also has significant practical implications for competitions already at an advanced stage of preparation. ... The IIHF will urgently assess the steps and time required to give effect to the ruling and address its operational consequences. The safety of all participants and the integrity of each championship will remain central to this work.”

On July 7, the International Olympic Committee lifted its recommended restrictions on athletes from Russia in international sports, though whether Russians or teams of Russians can compete in world championships is up to international sports federations like the IIHF.