World Rugby has declared that the 2027 Rugby World Cup will be contested by twenty-four nations as part of a larger format, marking an increase from the previous twenty countries. Australia has been chosen as the venue for the tournament, featuring six groups each comprising four teams, plus an additional round of 16 preceding the quarter-finals.
World Rugby’s motive for this expansion is to invigorate the worldwide growth of the sport. Already, twelve countries, such as Ireland, have gained qualification for the 2027 tournament by ranking in the top three of their groups in the 2023 World Cup. The other directly qualifying nations encompass France, Italy, Scotland, Wales, England, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, Argentina, and Japan.
For the remaining twelve places, World Rugby detailed a mixed qualification method. It will incorporate current regional competitions, a track through the fresh Pacific Nations Cup, a cross-continental play-off and a final qualification contest.
As per the renewed procedure, every regional association under World Rugby, including Europe, Africa, North and South America, Asia, and Oceania, will obtain a minimum of a single direct qualifying spot.
In the European region, four teams will secure qualifications through the 2025 Rugby Europe Championship. The top three contenders of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup, excluding Fiji and Japan, will assure their position in the World Cup.
Qualifiers will also include the 2025 victors of the Rugby Africa Cup, Asia Rugby Men’s Championship, Sudamerica Rugby Championship, and the South America/Pacific play-offs winner, the latter involving the Sudamerica Rugby Championship runners-up and the lowest-ranking non-qualifying team from the Pacific Nations Cup.
Finally, the last spot for the 2027 World Cup will be awarded to the triumphant team of the final qualification tournament, a round-robin contest involving four non-qualified regional competition and play-off teams.
This exhaustive procedure is slated to conclude by the end of 2025, and the pool selection is scheduled prior to the 2026 Six Nations.
Chair of World Rugby, Bill Beaumont, stressed the commitment to expanded opportunity and sustainability in the game under the new system, in addition to selecting teams purely on merit.