Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifying Pathway

A Look at the RWC 2027 Pathway: Tournament Expanded from 20 to 24 Teams

Canada failed to make the 2023 World Cup, it was the first time in history the men’s XVs failed to qualify. The 2027 World Cup in Australia is expanded to 24 teams, so 4 more teams will qualify for the tournament.

Already qualifying are Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, NZ, Scotland, South Africa, Wales which leaves 12 spots open.

Canada’s pathway starts with the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup, all teams from that tournament will qualify automatically except the last place team. Canada’s goal is simple, defeat Japan or USA to avoid the last place playoff. The last place playoff is anticipated to be against Tonga.

This year’s tournament starting in a couple of weeks will give Canadian rugby fans a good idea of how it may play out next year. Japan #14 seems a step beyond reach for #21 Canada but this year’s match at BC Place will give a taste of what to expect. The USA #19 is a more viable target and recently Canada defeated Romania while USA lost to Romania, a one off match vs USA hosted in St. John’s NFLD would be a very  winnable match. USA is hosting the match this year in LA so hopefully next year, when it matters, Canada will host the match. Tonga play Fiji and Samoa and it’s projected they’ll finish bottom of that pool.

If Canada come 6th in the PNC, they still have two more chances. They’ll face the 2nd place team of the South America Championship, anticipated to be #22 Chile. Again a very winnable match.

If Canada don’t qualify from the above playoff they’ll enter the Final Qualification Tournament with 3 other teams, the Asia/Africa Playoff winner, the Rugby Europe 5th place team, South America 3rd. These are likely to be low ranked teams, possibly Kenya, Netherlands, Brazil.

Posted in Front Page, Tournaments & Tours, World Rugby.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *