List of members of the International Ice Hockey Federation



The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is the worldwide governing body for ice hockey and in-line hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and maintains the international ice hockey rulebook, processes international player transfers, dictates officiating guidelines and is responsible for the management of international ice hockey tournaments. The IIHF was created on May 15, 1908, under the name (in French) Ligue Internationale de Hockey sur Glace (LHG).[1] Belgium, France, Great Britain, Switzerland and Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) were the founding members. The IIHF was comprised entirely of European teams until 1920, when Canada and the United States joined.

Under the IIHF, there are three levels for member organizations. The highest level, and the only one in which members can vote at IIHF Congresses, is IIHF Full Member. These nations have their own independent hockey association, and regularly participate in the various IIHF-sanctioned World Championships. IIHF Associate Members is the second level. These nations either do not have their own independent hockey association, or have one, but have limited participation in the World Championships. The third category, IIHF Affiliate Member, is for nations that only participate in the InLine Hockey World Championships.[2]

As of 2010, there are 69 members: 51 full members, 15 associate members and 3 affiliate members. Morocco, which joined on May 22, 2010, is the newest member. In 2010, 48 members participated in the Men's World Championships, and 20 participated in the Women's World Championships.

IIHF Full Members
^ A. The IIHF recognizes Bohemia, which joined in 1908, and Czechoslovakia as the predecessors to the Czech Republic, which officially became a member in 1993.[14] ^ B. In 1940, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were annexed by the Soviet Union. The three nations re-joined the IIHF on May 1, 1991.[53] ^ C. The IIHF recognizes the Soviet Union, which joined in 1952, as the predecessor to Russia, which officially became a member in 1992.[40] ^ D. The IIHF recognizes Yugoslavia, which joined in 1939, as the predecessor to Serbia, which officially became a member in 2007.[41]

Suspended members
Associate member Armenia was suspended indefinitely in May 2010 because the Armenian men's team is suspected of using several ineligible at the 2010 World Championship Division III tournament.

Former IIHF Members
Serbia and Montenegro