2027 Rugby World Cup
Every four years the eyes of the rugby world turn their eyes to own event, the biggest spectacle the sport has to offer in the Rugby World Cup. 2027 will be no different in that regard, as the top nations travel from around the globe to battle it out to be named the World Champions.
With the 11th edition on the horizon checkout our guide and make sure you are ready for the World Cup down under!
How does it work?
While the initial tournament in 1987 had 16 of the worlds best teams compete, World Rugby saw fit to increase it to the 20 team format we are used to in 1999. 26 years later they have finally increased it again to 24 teams, making 2027 the biggest Rugby World Cup ever, and with that marks a new era of rugby that welcomes more countries than ever before to the global showpiece.
General Overview
From October 1st to the 13th of November 2027, 24 Nations will play across five cities in Australia (Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide). The addition of four new countries has resulted in a big change to the format. Instead of the four groups of five, we now have six groups of four, meaning teams will now only play three group stage games compared to the four before.
Instead of going straight into the Quarter-Finals, there will now be a Round of 16 with the top two from each group and four of the best third place teams all progressing. Not only does this allow for more teams to progress to the knockouts, but it also opens up a huge opportunity for Tier 2 nations to reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history with one big win potentially being enough to send them through.
In turn this should see a more competitive tournament as teams have a greater chance of progression. This will also help to give a bigger global reach to the tournament, with all of the biggest Tier 2 nations now involved in the tournament.
In addition, the introduction of the Nations Championship and the Nations Cup have given a more competitive platform for new stories ahead of the World Cup, as Nations are given an extra piece of silverware to fight for.
How does it work?
While the initial tournament in 1987 had 16 of the worlds best teams compete, World Rugby saw fit to increase it to the 20 team format we are used to in 1999. 26 years later they have finally increased it again to 24 teams, making 2027 the biggest Rugby World Cup ever, and with that marks a new era of rugby that welcomes more countries than ever before to the global showpiece.
General Overview
From October 1st to the 13th of November 2027, 24 Nations will play across five cities in Australia (Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide). The addition of four new countries has resulted in a big change to the format. Instead of the four groups of five, we now have six groups of four, meaning teams will now only play three group stage games compared to the four before.
Instead of going straight into the Quarter-Finals, there will now be a Round of 16 with the top two from each group and four of the best third place teams all progressing. Not only does this allow for more teams to progress to the knockouts, but it also opens up a huge opportunity for Tier 2 nations to reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history with one big win potentially being enough to send them through.
In turn this should see a more competitive tournament as teams have a greater chance of progression. This will also help to give a bigger global reach to the tournament, with all of the biggest Tier 2 nations now involved in the tournament.
In addition, the introduction of the Nations Championship and the Nations Cup have given a more competitive platform for new stories ahead of the World Cup, as Nations are given an extra piece of silverware to fight for.
Who’s qualified?
While 24 have qualified, their journey to get here has been very different with the initial 12 teams decided back in 2023 with the teams that automatically booked their spot via finishing third or higher in their Pool in France.
Automatically Qualified at the 2023 World Cup:
- South Africa
- New Zealand
- France
- England
- Ireland
- Australia (Also had automatic entry due to being the host nation)
- Argentina
- Wales
- Fiji
- Japan
- Italy
- Scotland
Following that 2025 became the next chance for nations to qualify, with different continents/regions having differing numbers of teams that could guarantee themselves a place in Australia. Four fortunate sides also had one last chance in the Final Qualification tournament, that gave some strong sides who missed out at first one last shot to qualify in a round-robin format.
European Qualifiers (Through the European Rugby Championship 2025)
Americas (Either the Sudamérica Championship or Americas play-offs)
Asia (Asia Championship)
- Hong Kong China (Champions)
Africa (Rugby Africa Cup)
- Zimbabwe (Champions)
Pacific
Final Qualification Tournament
- Samoa (Final Qualification Tournament Winners)
Who’s qualified?
While 24 have qualified, their journey to get here has been very different with the initial 12 teams decided back in 2023 with the teams that automatically booked their spot via finishing third or higher in their Pool in France.
Automatically Qualified at the 2023 World Cup:
- South Africa
- New Zealand
- France
- England
- Ireland
- Australia (Also had automatic entry due to being the host nation)
- Argentina
- Wales
- Fiji
- Japan
- Italy
- Scotland
Following that 2025 became the next chance for nations to qualify, with different continents/regions having differing numbers of teams that could guarantee themselves a place in Australia. Four fortunate sides also had one last chance in the Final Qualification tournament, that gave some strong sides who missed out at first one last shot to qualify in a round-robin format.
European Qualifiers (Through the European Rugby Championship 2025)
Americas (Either the Sudamérica Championship or Americas play-offs)
Asia (Asia Championship)
- Hong Kong China (Champions)
Africa (Rugby Africa Cup)
- Zimbabwe (Champions)
Pacific
Final Qualification Tournament
- Samoa (Final Qualification Tournament Winners)
The Pools
Pool A
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Chile
- Hong Kong China
Key storylines:
- Blockbuster Australia vs New Zealand pool clash
- Chile’s rising South American presence
- Hong Kong China making a historic World Cup debut
Pool B
- South Africa
- Italy
- Georgia
- Romania
Key storylines:
- Defending champions South Africa tested by physical European sides
- Georgia seen as a major upset threat
Pool C
- Argentina
- Fiji
- Spain
- Canada
Key storylines:
- Argentina vs Fiji is the headline match
- Spain returns to the global stage
- Canada aiming to re-establish competitiveness
Pool D
- Ireland
- Scotland
- Uruguay
- Portugal
Key storylines:
- Classic Ireland vs Scotland rivalry
- Portugal continuing rapid rise in Europe
- Uruguay as dangerous underdogs
Pool E
- France
- Japan
- USA
- Samoa
Key storylines:
- France favourites but not unchallenged
- Japan vs Samoa = physical, fast-paced clash
- USA looking to break into knockout stages
Pool F
- England
- Wales
- Tonga
- Zimbabwe
Key storylines:
- Historic England vs Wales pool match
- Tonga brings physical Pacific intensity
- Zimbabwe’s return adds major underdog narrative
The Pools
Pool A
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Chile
- Hong Kong China
Key storylines:
- Blockbuster Australia vs New Zealand pool clash
- Chile’s rising South American presence
- Hong Kong China making a historic World Cup debut
Pool B
- South Africa
- Italy
- Georgia
- Romania
Key storylines:
- Defending champions South Africa tested by physical European sides
- Georgia seen as a major upset threat
Pool C
- Argentina
- Fiji
- Spain
- Canada
Key storylines:
- Argentina vs Fiji is the headline match
- Spain returns to the global stage
- Canada aiming to re-establish competitiveness
Pool D
- Ireland
- Scotland
- Uruguay
- Portugal
Key storylines:
- Classic Ireland vs Scotland rivalry
- Portugal continuing rapid rise in Europe
- Uruguay as dangerous underdogs
Pool E
- France
- Japan
- USA
- Samoa
Key storylines:
- France favourites but not unchallenged
- Japan vs Samoa = physical, fast-paced clash
- USA looking to break into knockout stages
Pool F
- England
- Wales
- Tonga
- Zimbabwe
Key storylines:
- Historic England vs Wales pool match
- Tonga brings physical Pacific intensity
- Zimbabwe’s return adds major underdog narrative
With less than 2 years to go, the world of rugby is really heating up with the World Cup just upon the horizon for the 24 aforementioned sides, as they look to stake their claim for the crown in Australia.
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