Apr 4, 6:00 AM UTC
Chiefs vs Reds
Apr 4, 7:00 PM UTC
Section Paloise vs Bath Rugby
Apr 4, 7:00 PM UTC
Edinburgh vs Lions
Apr 4, 7:00 PM UTC
Northampton Saints vs ASM-Rugby
Apr 5, 1:00 AM UTC
Moana Pasifika vs Waratahs
Apr 5, 1:00 AM UTC
Matatu vs Chiefs
Apr 5, 3:30 AM UTC
Blues vs Hurricanes
Apr 5, 3:30 AM UTC
Fijian Drua vs Crusaders
Apr 5, 6:00 AM UTC
Blues vs Hurricanes
Apr 5, 8:30 AM UTC
Force vs Highlanders
Apr 5, 11:30 AM UTC
Aviron Bayonnais vs Vodacom Bulls
Apr 5, 11:30 AM UTC
RC Toulonnais vs Saracens F.C.
Apr 5, 2:00 PM UTC
Castres Olympique vs Benetton
Apr 5, 2:00 PM UTC
Spain vs Sweden
Apr 5, 2:00 PM UTC
Leinster vs Harlequin F.C.
USA Rugby

Rugby World Cup 2027: New Qualification Path Promises Global Drama

Rugby World Cup 2027: New Qualification Path Promises Global Drama

Discover the revamped Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification process, with expanded spots, thrilling regional competitions and a final qualification tournament.

Mar 18, 2025 by Philip Bendon
Rugby World Cup 2027: New Qualification Path Promises Global Drama

The qualification process for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia has been reimagined, offering new opportunities for teams worldwide. 

With the tournament expanding to 24 teams for the first time, 12 spots will be decided through regional competitions in 2025, culminating in a four-team Final Qualification Tournament in November 2025 to determine the final entrant.

The European Qualification Battle

The European pathway to Rugby World Cup 2027 has reached a pivotal stage, with the Rugby Europe Men's Championship 2025 set to determine which teams will qualify directly and which will advance to the Final Qualification Tournament.

The top four teams in the competition - Georgia, Portugal, Spain and Romania - already have secured their places at RWC 2027. However, one final European spot remained, with the Netherlands and Belgium facing off in a decisive fifth-place playoff.

Belgium produced a stunning performance to defeat the Netherlands 31-10 in Amsterdam, progressing to the Rugby World Cup 2027 Final Qualification Tournament. 

A strong first-half display saw Belgium race to a 24-0 lead, with tries from Simeon Soenen, Maximilien Hendrickx and Jens Torfs. 

Despite a spirited effort from the Netherlands in the second half, Belgium maintained control and secured a memorable victory.

Meanwhile, Georgia continued its dominance by clinching the Rugby Europe Championship title with a convincing 46-28 victory over Spain. 

Georgia's Vano Karkadze scored a hat trick of maul tries, while Akaki Tabutsadze reached a milestone with his 50th test try. 

Spain fought valiantly, with Gonzalo Lopez Bontempo leading the charge, but Georgia's power proved too much.

In the Bronze Final, Romania overcame Portugal 21-7 in Lisbon. 

Jacob Nicolaas Immelman and Cristi Boboc scored tries for Romania, while Alin Conache's precise kicking sealed the victory. Portugal struggled to break down the Romanian defence despite a late try from Nuno Mascarenhas.

USA's First Chance at Qualification

USA head coach Scott Lawrence expressed his thoughts on the qualification pathway, highlighting the opportunities available for teams like his own.

"The qualification process goes through the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC). Japan and Fiji are already qualified, which means there are six teams in the PNC, and the top five will advance to World Cup qualification. If that doesn't happen, the undecided opponent from South America will face a home-and-away series at the end of the tournament for another qualification opportunity. If qualification still isn't secured, there's a final chance through a repechage tournament in November. It's encouraging to see multiple opportunities for teams to qualify. I'm really pleased to see Spain qualify. I know they've qualified a couple of times before, only to have it revoked, so it's great to see them officially secure their spot. We'll be playing them again this summer, and I hope we can join them at the World Cup."

Global Qualification Process

The new qualification process ensures representation from all six World Rugby regions:

  • Europe (4) – Top four from Rugby Europe Championship 2025 qualify directly. The fifth-place playoff winner (Belgium) enters the Final Qualification Tournament.

  • Africa (1) – Rugby Africa Cup 2025 champions qualify directly.

  • Asia (1) – Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025 champions qualify directly.

  • South America (1) – Sudamérica Rugby Championship 2025 champions qualify directly.

  • Pacific (3) – Top three from Pacific Nations Cup 2025 (excluding already-qualified Fiji and Japan) qualify directly.

  • South America/Pacific Play-off (1) – Sudamérica Rugby Championship 2025 runners-up vs. Pacific Nations Cup’s bottom team (excluding qualified teams), with the winner qualifying for RWC 2027.

  • Final Qualification Tournament (1) – Four teams compete in a round-robin, with the winner securing the last spot.

Here's Who Has Qualified For The Rugby World Cup 2027

Africa:

  • South Africa (automatic)
  • TBD

Asia:

  • Japan (automatic)
  • TBD 

Europe:

  • England (automatic)
  • France (automatic)
  • Ireland (automatic)
  • Italy (automatic)
  • Scotland (automatic)
  • Wales (automatic)
  • Georgia (Rugby Europe qualification)
  • Spain (Rugby Europe qualification)
  • Portugal (Rugby Europe qualification)
  • Romania (Rugby Europe qualification)

Pacific:

  • Australia (host) (automatic)
  • New Zealand (automatic)
  • Fiji (automatic)
  • TBD 
  • TBD
  • TBD

South America:

  • Argentina (automatic)
  • TBD

Final Qualification

  • TBD
  • TBD

With all qualification matches concluding by the end of 2025, the full lineup of teams will be known before the official RWC 2027 draw, ensuring an exciting and competitive road to rugby’s biggest stage.

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:

FloRugby is also home to match archives and match replays. 

Join The Rugby Conversation On FloRugby Social