The FIB has confirmed new dates for its 2020 World Championship ©FIB

The Federation of International Bandy (FIB) has confirmed the new dates for the 2020 Bandy World Championship in Russia.

The eight-team tournament had been due to take place from March 29 to April 5, but was postponed by the FIB in response to the coronavirus crisis.

In its latest update, the FIB said the Ice Palace Baikal in Irkutsk would stage the competition from October 5 to 11.

Finland, Kazakhstan and Sweden join defending champions and hosts Russia in Pool A.

Pool B comprises Estonia, Germany, Norway and the United States.

The tournament is due to be held at the Ice Palace Baikal ©FIB
The tournament is due to be held at the Ice Palace Baikal ©FIB

The top two teams in Pool A progress directly to the semi-finals, with the bottom two joining the first two nations in a playoff round to decide who reaches the last four.

Russia lifted the title in 2019 following a 6-5 sudden-death victory over Sweden in the final in Vänersborg.

The country is also set to host the men's Bandy World Cup in December after being awarded the event by the FIB.