The sport of rugby turns its collective eyes to France this fall as the 2023 World Cup begins on Sept. 8 with the host nation France taking on the All Blacks of New Zealand to start the tournament.  

The World Cup returns for the first time since 2019, when South Africa beat England 32-12 in Yokohama, Japan to win the World Cup. 

This is the 10th Rugby World Cup and is the second time France has hosted the event alone. The 1991 World Cup was played throughout France and the United Kingdom, just as the first World Cup in 1987 was hosted by Australia and New Zealand. 

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The stage is set for a thrilling Rugby World Cup in 2023. The world’s No.1 team, Ireland, is seeking its first World Cup championship while defending World Cup winner, South Africa, is seeking its fourth. 

Here’s what to know about the 2023 Rugby World Cup. 

When is the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

The 2023 Rugby World Cup begins Sept. 8, 2023 and ends with the championship match on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. 

Pool play begins on Friday, Sept. 8 and knockout rounds begin on Saturday, Oct. 14 with the quarterfinals. Semifinals begin on Oct. 20. The third and fourth place match is scheduled for Oct. 27 and the Final, at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28. 

How To Watch The 2023 Rugby World Cup? 

The Rugby World Cup is streaming on the Peacock app. Log on to FloRugby for the latest news and notes on each game. 

What Countries Qualified For The 2023 Rugby World Cup?

Here are the Countries who will compete for the Rugby World Cup in 2023: 

• France 
• New Zealand 
• Italy 
• Uruguay 
• Namibia 
• South Africa 
• Ireland 
• Scotland 
• Tonga 
• Romania 
• Wales 
• Australia 
• Fiji 
• Georgia 
• Portugal
• England 
• Japan 
• Argentia 
• Samoa 
• Chile 

Rugby World Cup 2023 Schedule

Here are the dates. All times are EST. 

Sept. 8: 

• France vs. New Zealand, 3: 15 p.m. 

Sept. 9: 

• Italy vs. Namibia, 7 a.m. 
• Ireland vs. Romania, 9:30 a.m. 
• Australia vs. Georgia, noon
• England vs. Argentina, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 10: 

• Japan vs. Chile, 7 a.m. 
• South Africa vs Scotland, 11:45 a.m. 
• Wales vs Fiji, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 14: 

• France vs. Uruguay, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 15: 

• New Zealand vs. Namibia, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 16: 

• Samoa vs. Chile, 9 a.m. 
• Wales vs. Portugal, 11:45 a.m. 
• Ireland vs. Tonga, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 17: 

• South Africa vs. Romania, 9 a.m. 
• Australia vs. Fiji, 11: 45 a.m. 
• England vs. Japan, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 20: 

• Italy vs. Uruguay, 11:45 a.m. 

Sept. 21: 

• France vs. Namibia, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 22: 

• Argentina vs. Samoa, 11:45 a.m. 

Sept. 23: 

• Georgia vs. Portugal, 8 a.m. 
• England vs. Chile, 11:45 a.m. 
• South Africa vs. Ireland, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 24: 

• Scotland vs Tonga, 11:45 a.m. 
• Wales vs Australia, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 27

• Uruguay vs. Namibia, 11:45 a.m. 

Sept. 28: 

• Japan vs. Samoa, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 29: 

• New Zealand vs. Italy, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 30: 

• Argentina vs. Chile, 9 a.m.    
• Fiji vs. Georgia, 11:45 a.m. 
• Scotland vs. Romania, 3 p.m. 

Oct. 1: 

• Australia vs. Portugal, 11:45 a.m. 
• South Africa vs. Tonga, 3 p.m. 

Oct. 5: 

• New Zealand vs. Uruguay, 3 p.m. 

Oct. 6: 

• France vs. Italy, 3 p.m. 

Oct. 7: 

• Wales vs. Georgia, 9 a.m. 
• England vs. Samoa, 11:45 a.m. 
• Ireland vs. Scotland, 3 p.m. 

Oct. 8: 

• Japan vs. Argentina, 7 a.m. 
• Tonga vs. Romania, 11:45 a.m. 
• Fiji vs. Portugal, 3 p.m. 

When Do The Rugby World Cup 2023 Knock Stages Begin?

Quarterfinals will begin on Oct. 14. Semifinals will begin on Oct. 20. 

The third and fourth place match will be on Oct. 27.

When Is The Rugby World Cup 2023  Final?

The Rugby World Cup Final is on Oct. 28.