The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced on Wednesday that the men’s ice hockey World Championship tournaments scheduled for Division II A and Division IV have been cancelled. These tournaments were initially set to take place in Kuwait from April 12-18 and in the United Arab Emirates from April 20-26. The IIHF council made the decision amid concerns over the prevailing situation in the Middle East, citing safety as a primary consideration for the decision.

The decision follows careful evaluation as the IIHF continues to prioritize the welfare of players and officials involved in the championships. The final outcomes for these specific tournaments will be determined in the next meeting of the IIHF council. This cancellation reflects ongoing challenges faced in organizing international sports events in regions where safety and security are potentially compromised.

It’s important to note that while these lower division tournaments have been cancelled, the highest level of men’s ice hockey World Championships is still set to take place in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland, from May 15-31, 2026. This indicates that while some events are impacted by regional issues, the IIHF is still moving forward with plans for higher-profile competitions, which may have implications for the sport’s visibility and development in other regions.