The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off is an international ice hockey tournament featuring top NHL players from Canada, the United States, Finland, and Sweden. It will take place from February 12–20, 2025, in Montreal (Bell Centre) and Boston (TD Garden). The event replaces the NHL’s annual All-Star Game for 2025. Announced by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in February 2024, the tournament marks the NHL's return to international best-on-best play. The competition follows a round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to a one-game final. Each team consists of 23 players (20 skaters and three goalies), selected by their national hockey federations. Non-NHL players cannot participate due to NHL-IIHF agreement restrictions.
Why isn't Russia in the four nations face-off?
According to Daily Faceoff, Russia is not participating in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off because the NHL has followed the IIHF's ban on Russian teams due to the country's ongoing war in Ukraine. Although the IIHF does not control this tournament, the NHL chose to exclude Russia, keeping them out of international best-on-best competition since 2022. This means that top Russian players, including Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov, Artemi Panarin, and Igor Shesterkin, will not have the chance to compete, as per SI.com.
The absence of Russia has been a major talking point, as the team would have been a strong contender with its elite goaltending, skilled defense, and high-powered offense. Despite this, the NHL has opted to move forward with just Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland, keeping the tournament smaller and more politically neutral. Russia’s potential return to international hockey remains uncertain, with a decision on their 2026 Olympic participation expected in early 2025 as per SI.com.
Read More: 4 Nations Face-Off Sweden Rosters
FAQs on Why isn't Russia in the four nations face-off
A. Russia is not in the 4 nation face off due to Russia Ukrain war.
A. The participating teams in the 4 nation face-off are Canada, Finland, Sweden, United States
A. Ice hockey is one of the most renowned sports in Russia.
A. Jon Cooper is the head coach of the Canadian team while Antti Pennanen, Sam Hallam, and Mike Sullivan are the head coaches of teams Finland, Sweden, and the U.S. respectively.
![[FIGHT] AJ Greer vs Nick Foligno exchange heavy blows in 2025-26 NHL season opener b/w Panthers vs Blackhawks](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/10/8c80a-17598911118540-1920.jpg?h=166)
