Georgia, Spain, Portugal, Romania Qualify for World Cup After Weekend Action – 8 Places Remain
Georgia, Spain, Portugal and Romania have all qualified for the RWC 2027 after weekend action that saw the countries secure semi-final spots in the European Championships. There are now 8 places left in the expanded 24 team World Cup in Australia. Those spots available are Pacific 1 to 3, Africa 1, Asia 1, South America 1, South America/Pacific playoff winner, Repechage winner.
Canada will hope to claim one of the Pacific 1 to 3 spots by defeating USA, or Japan or the lowest country in the other Pacific pool which is likely to be Tonga. Failing that they will play off against the South America 2 team which is likely to be Chile. The final option if plan A and plan B fail will be plan C, the repechage which will include South America 3, likely Brazil, Europe 5 likely either Belgium/Netherlands/Germany, and the winner of Rugby Africa runner up vs Asia runner up.
from World Rugby
Romania and Portugal qualify for Men’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2027
Os Lobos’ victory over Germany in the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship 2025 means Portugal and Romania have now secured their place at Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
- Romania and Portugal have qualified for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 after reaching the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship 2025 semi-finals
- It will be Portugal’s third RWC appearance after the two tournaments held in France (2007 and 2023)
Romania will take part in their 10th Men’s Rugby World Cup - Portugal and Romania join Georgia and Spain as the four direct qualifiers from Europe
- Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands are still in contention with the fifth-placed team qualifying for the Final Qualification Tournament.
Romania and Portugal have secured their places at Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia after reaching the semi finals of the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship 2025 with two wins from two.
Portugal’s qualification marks their third Rugby World Cup appearance and their second in a row, following an impressive campaign at France 2023. Romania, one of Europe’s major rugby nations, will make their 10th appearance at the tournament, further cementing their legacy in the competition.
With their qualification, Portugal and Romania join Georgia and Spain as the four direct qualifiers from Europe for Australia 2027, and the first to qualify in 2025.
Meanwhile, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands remain in contention and will compete for a place in the Final Qualification Tournament, set to be played in November 2026, for one last chance to secure a spot at rugby’s biggest stage.
Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will be the first to feature an expanded 24-team format and a round of 16, offering greater global representation and intensifying the competition.
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Georgia and Spain secure Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification
Spain and Georgia have secured their place at Australia 2027 after reaching the the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship semi finals, with the number of qualified teams now standing at 14.
- Georgia and Spain have reached the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship 2025 semi finals, securing their attendance at Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 as the first two European qualifiers
- Spain will take part in their second Men’s Rugby World Cup, their first in the 21st century
- Georgia has qualified for their seventh consecutive men’s RWC, 24 years after their RWC debut in Australia
- Two more European teams can qualify depending on the result of Portugal v Germany today
- Australia 2027 is the first Men’s Rugby World Cup to feature a 24-team expanded format
Georgia and Spain have reached the semi finals of the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship 2025, and in doing so have become the first two European teams to qualify for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
Spain’s historic qualification marks their second appearance at a Men’s Rugby World Cup and their first in the 21st century after competing at RWC 1999, a milestone moment for Spanish rugby. Meanwhile, Georgia continue their impressive streak, securing their place at rugby’s pinnacle event for the seventh consecutive time. Their journey comes 24 years after making their Rugby World Cup debut in Australia in 2003.
Two more European teams still have the opportunity to qualify for Australia 2027, with their fate resting on the outcome of the upcoming match between Portugal and Germany kicking-off at 17:15 GMT today.
Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 is set to usher in a new era for the sport, featuring an expanded 24-team format for the first time in history, further enhancing global representation and competition.